High-tech guardians: Korea deploys AI patrol robots to protect historic palaces

Standing outside ancient wooden pavilions and sprawling royal mausoleums, Korea is turning to artificial intelligence and robotics to safeguard its centuries-old cultural heritage against physical threats and environmental hazards. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, an arm of the Royal Heritage Administration, said Friday that it is launching field testing for autonomous AI patrol robots across major historic sites. Building on a brief two-month trial at Changdeok Palace earlier this year, the new initiative expands field testing to Deoksu Palace and the Seooreung Royal Tombs through November. The four-month pilot program tests how different robotic designs navigate the delicate, varied terrain of Korea's royal grounds. While traditional security setups often struggle with vast outdoor spaces, these autonomous machines will roam predetermined routes using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors alongside vision-based artificial intelligence to monitor site conditions and assist human guard forces. The initiative highlights a growing urgency across Korea to fortify vulnerable histor