SK Shieldus to verify performance of self-driving patrol robot

South Korean security company SK Shieldus will demonstrate the performance of a self-driving patrol robot.

The company on Thursday said it received regulatory sandbox approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the project including conditions for the securing of driving safety, consultations with park authorities and measures to protect personal information.

SK Shieldus is promoting the business along with SK Telecom Co. and robotics startup Neubility. In March, the three held pilot operations of the patrol robot at Duksung Women's University in Seoul.

SK Shieldus will conduct further testing of the device's safety and effectiveness through the demonstration project. A combined 20 robots will be run in five testing areas including Kangwon National University's campus in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, Incheon Grand Park and Gangwon-based resorts over the two-year verification period starting next month.

The robot's artificial intelligence surveillance camera Caps ViewGuard AI, which applies SK Shieldus' Vision AI technology of recognizing people and detecting signs of unusual behavior and abnormality, quickly identifies and elicits response to a dangerous situation.

Caps ViewGuard AI has an object-based image analysis function for people and vehicles and a five-megapixel, high-definition video shooting function optimized for outdoor environments. This allows clear identification of distant subjects as well as faces or license plates without noise even at night.

SK Shieldus will also devise a smart automatic security system to achieve zero blind spots for crime by optimizing the connection among between the patrol robot, Caps ViewGuard AI and the control center over the demonstration period.

The company will also expand the role of such robots to safety management and prevention of accidents by adding functions like detection of harmful substances in the air and fire.

Write to Hyung-Chang Choi at calling@hankyung.com