South Korea, land of robots

Summary

In South Korea, advanced technology, especially robotics, is deeply integrated into daily life. The country leads globally in robot usage, with over seven times the world average in industrial robots. From manufacturing to customer-facing roles, robotics is transforming sectors like telecommunications and cosmetics. Despite global fears of automation, South Korea enjoys low unemployment rates, indicating that robots are replacing dangerous, menial jobs while humans take on more creative roles. This shift demonstrates the growing potential for collaboration between humans and robots, positioning Korea as a leader in robotic innovation and a model for future technological integration.

Takeaways

• 😀 South Korea is the most robotized country in the world, with over 932 industrial robots for every 10,000 workers.
• 😀 The number of industrial robots in South Korea has been increasing by 10% annually since 2015.
• 😀 Public attitudes toward robots in South Korea are more positive compared to the Western view, where robots are often seen as a threat.
• 😀 Traditionally, robots in South Korea were used mainly in manufacturing, particularly in the automotive industry.
• 😀 A new type of collaborative robots is emerging, expanding beyond manufacturing into various sectors such as telecommunications.
• 😀 South Korea's KT telecom company uses robots in customer-facing roles, particularly in service locations and mobile telecom environments.
• 😀 Amore Pacific, a global cosmetics giant, uses robots for tasks like skin tone assessment and custom makeup mixing, offering enhanced hygiene benefits.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of robots, particularly in industries where hygiene and automation became more critical.
• 😀 Despite concerns about job loss due to automation, South Korea's unemployment rate remains below 3%, which is much lower than the OECD average.
• 😀 The rise of robots is creating new opportunities for humans in more creative and value-adding roles, while robots handle dangerous or repetitive tasks.

Q & A

How advanced is the use of technology in South Korea, according to the script?

South Korea is described as being surrounded by advanced technology, from smart toilets to building automation, with a particular focus on robotics. The country is the most robotized in the world, with continuous growth in robotic technology.

What is the robot-to-worker ratio in South Korea?

There are 932 industrial robots for every 10,000 workers in South Korea, which is more than seven times the world average and has been increasing by 10% each year since 2015.

What is the cultural difference in attitudes towards robots between South Korea and Western countries?

In South Korea, robots are often seen as helpful and positive, especially in media like cartoons and comics. In contrast, in Western countries, robots are frequently depicted as destructive or a threat to human culture.

How has the role of robots evolved in South Korea?

Traditionally, robots in South Korea were mainly used in manufacturing, particularly in the automotive industry. However, the rise of collaborative robots has led to their use in new sectors, including customer-facing roles in telecommunications and cosmetics.

What is the role of robots in the telecommunications industry in South Korea?

In the telecommunications industry, robots play a key role in service locations, using collaborative labor and mobile robots to assist in telecommunication tasks, aided by networks like Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G.

How are robots being used in the cosmetics industry in South Korea?

In the cosmetics industry, robots are used to assess skin tone and mix personalized foundation. This technology became particularly popular during the pandemic due to its sanitation advantages.

How has the pandemic influenced the adoption of robotics in South Korea?

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of robotics, particularly for sanitation reasons. Robots became a preferred option for tasks like makeup mixing, as they offered hygienic solutions during this time.

What is the current unemployment rate in South Korea, and how does it relate to the use of robots?

South Korea's unemployment rate remains low, below 3%, which is well under the OECD average. This suggests that robots are taking on dangerous or repetitive jobs, while humans shift to more creative and value-adding roles.

Why are robots seen as beneficial in certain jobs, even though they replace human labor?

Robots are beneficial because they replace jobs that are dangerous, dirty, or undesirable to humans. This can improve efficiency and safety in industries where these tasks would otherwise be hard to fill.

What is the future model of labor as robots continue to advance in South Korea?

The future model is expected to focus on human creativity and value-added activities, with robots handling more of the hard labor. As long as there is demand for robotics, technological advancements are expected to continue rapidly.