Seoul is rolling out a smart robot service at Seoul Botanic Park to provide visitors with high-tech amenities using artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoT.

Branded as Robotanic, this autonomous bot service will provide assistance such as facility guidance and botanical information as well as visitor security to create a safe park environment and offer different experiences.

The city will operate three Robotanics around popular areas frequented by visitors for exploring and resting at Seoul Botanic Park, one indoors in the greenhouse and two outdoors in the garden.

In the greenhouse, visitors can interact with a Robotanic to gain information on the park and plants through both live (online) and recorded (offline) video commentary while walking along the guided paths.

This programme is available twice a day every Friday for group tours up to ten people at a time starting this month. Those who are interested must book in advance online via the official Seoul Botanic Park web site.

While the programme is free, visitors must pay the greenhouse admission fee.

In the outdoor garden, Robotanic will patrol the premises as a security bot for visitors’ safety, monitoring the park’s environment via live footage to prevent accidents and crime. The footage will be relayed to a control centre to alert the security personnel when it detects certain situations, such as fire hazards including smokers.

Moreover, they will roam the park to make announcements, such as last calls before the park closes, and even operate around the clock at night.

Seoul plans to increase its use of Robotanic bots and incorporate them in various park operations to provide enhanced smart services.