South Korea to deploy rail-mounted robot, AI-based surveillance systems to enhance border security

South Korea plans to deploy two new surveillance systems later this year to enhance round-the-clock border security amid heightened tensions with neighbouring North Korea.

The country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a 16 June statement that the systems – a rail-mounted robot and an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled video and audio system – are being acquired through a fast-track procurement process and will initially be introduced as part of six-month-long trials starting in October (for the AI-based system) and December (for the rail-mounted system).

South Korea plans to deploy two new surveillance systems – a rail-mounted robot (illustrated here) and an AI-based video and audio system – later this year to enhance round-the-clock border security. (DAPA)

The systems are expected to enter service shortly thereafter should they meet the military's requirements.

The ‘Mobile Rail Robot Surveillance System' has been designed to move along a rail at a speed of 5 m/s. It is equipped with what are understood to be motion sensors and a high-resolution, pan-tilt-zoom camera capable of remote control. The sensor suite enables the robot to detect and track unusual movements made by even relatively small objects (0.3 × 0.3 m) out to a distance of more than 1 km during the day and of more than 200 m at night, according to DAPA.

Should unusual movements be detected, the robot can automatically alert the control centre or send out an audible warning to the source of the movement.