A South Korean civil servant robot allegedly "committed suicide" due to extreme work pressure yesterday, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Saturday.
According to media reports, the robot threw itself down a two-meter staircase for "unexplained reasons." It was discovered smashed up in the stairwell between the first and second floors of the building. This incident is being reported as the first robot suicide.
Witnesses observed the robot circulating in one spot as if detecting something before the puzzling incident. The exact cause of the accident remains unknown and is under investigation. Officials stated, "Pieces have been collected and will be analyzed by the company."
The robot was responsible for daily document deliveries, city promotion, and providing information to residents. A source revealed that the robot was officially part of the city hall and had served "diligently" since its appointment in October 2023. It was the first robot to serve the Gumi City Council.
Manufactured by California-based startup Bear Robotics, the robot had its own employee ID card and worked from 9 am to 4 pm. It was capable of calling elevators and moving across floors independently.
This incident follows a previous report from Washington, where a security robot named Steve "committed suicide" by drowning itself in a water fountain. However, it was later determined that Steve's accident was caused by skidding on a "loose brick surface," leading to a fall of four stories into the fountain.