Autonomous patrol robot ‘Sunrabot′ on trial run

Autonomous patrol robot ‘Sunrabot' on trial run: Travel / 연합뉴스 / 2026-02-10 09:01:06

▲ Autonomous patrol robot "Sunrabot." Photo courtesy of the Korea Heritage Service. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- The Korea Heritage Service said Tuesday it will conduct a one-month pilot operation of an autonomous patrol robot, dubbed "Sunrabot," at Changdeok Palace in Seoul.

The name “Sunra” comes from the Sunragun, patrol guards who monitored the royal palace and areas inside and outside the capital during the Joseon Dynasty.

Sunrabot will roam around the Changdeok Palace complex to detect fires, unusual noises and other anomalies in real time, and will contact the Changdeok Palace Management Office and a control center in the event of an emergency.

The robot is expected to be particularly helpful for checking palace conditions in areas with little foot traffic or during nighttime hours.

Using funds from the National Lottery, the Korea Heritage Service has introduced one Sunrabot for the pilot project and will review the operational results over a month before deciding whether to deploy additional units.

▲ Drone inspection at Changdeok Palace. Photo courtesy of the Korea Heritage Service. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

To mark National Heritage Disaster Prevention Day on Feb. 10, the agency will also work with local governments to inspect safety management conditions at around 40 major national heritage sites, including the Seoul City Wall.

Later in the day, an awards ceremony will be held at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno District, Seoul, to honor individuals who have contributed to disaster safety management for national heritage sites, along with prizes for outstanding entries in a related contest.

National Heritage Disaster Prevention Day was designated following the arson attack on Sungnyemun on Feb. 10, 2008.

▲ Poster for National Heritage Disaster Prevention Day, provided by the Korea Heritage Service. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

At the time, a 70-year-old man deliberately set the fire in a fit of anger, causing extensive damage to Sungnyemun — the main southern gate of the Joseon capital and a designated national treasure — which was largely destroyed by the blaze.

Around the anniversary each year, the Korea Heritage Service conducts disaster prevention inspections and emergency response drills at heritage sites. Sungnyemun will be illuminated at night on Feb. 10 to mark the occasion.