SK Telecom controls robot movements and analyzes images in real time using its self-developed 'AI robot kit' to detect hazardous gas leaks and fires.

SK Telecom announced on the 20th that it has launched the 'AI Robot Kit', which controls robot movements with vision AI technology and analyzes images in real time with AI to provide customized services to customers. SKT's AI Robot Kit video control system consists of △a walking robot with an AI Robot Kit attached, △a control server, and △an AI video control system.

The new AI robot kit is a kit that can be attached to a robot, and is made in the shape of a rectangular box that consists of a computer, front and rear cameras, a 5G modem, speakers, and a microphone.

SKT cited the advantage of this newly released AI robot kit as the fact that it is a small kit product that can be installed on existing robots to provide FHD high-definition AI video analysis services that can be identified by managers.

It can be installed on existing walking robots and used for various purposes such as fire prevention, detection of hazardous gases, and 3D measurement of indoor spaces. SKT has a high-performance hazardous gas detector, thermal imaging camera, and indoor space 3D precision measurement (3D mapping) program optimized for AI robot kits, allowing customers to select the functions they need as options.

SKT has first applied the robot linkage function to the Unitree robot. It also links with robots from other companies that provide software development kits (SDKs) upon customer request.

It was also mentioned that it is cost-effective at 1/5 of that of other companies. It costs more than 200 million won to purchase the S/W for a robot that includes a control function, but the GO 1 EDU product and AI robot kit package from Unitree, a quadruped walking robot specialist sold by SKT, are less than 40 million won.

SKT's AI robot kit system can control multiple drones and robots simultaneously from a single video control system, enabling a rapid response in the event of a disaster.

■ AI robot kit-equipped walking robot, remote control and real-time response

First, a walking robot equipped with an AI robot kit is remotely controlled and sent to the scene of a suspected fire, and the FHD video captured by the built-in front and rear cameras is sent in real time to the control server (T live studio) in the control center via a wireless communication network (5G/LTE).

The video transmitted to the AI video control system (T live GCS) connected to the server via optical cables can be responded to in real time by viewing up to 16 channels of high-definition video taken from robot control screens, multiple robots, drones, body cams, etc. in the 'AI video analysis system' located in the control center.

SKT expects its sales to grow by more than two-fold every year through the launch of this AI robot kit, which will enable customized customer services at a low cost. SKT plans to expand the distribution of robot kits through various promotions and competitive pricing policies.

Meanwhile, SKT has been actively pursuing AI-based robot-related businesses since last year. It is currently conducting coffee robots and logistics robot businesses. In particular, it plans to launch them within the next five years through various business collaborations, such as with large domestic cafe operators and franchise robot products.

SKT plans to unveil its AI robot kit and Unitree robot package for the first time at 'Drone Show Korea 2023' to be held at BEXCO in Busan for three days starting on the 23rd.

Choi Nak-hoon, SKT Industry AIX CO (Industrial AI) manager, said, “The goal of SKT’s robot business is to provide customized services by building AI-based application solutions and data platforms that customers need but robot manufacturers find difficult to respond to,” adding, “We will provide various robot services that can increase the convenience and productivity of individuals as well as corporate customers and even provide enjoyable experiences.”