Dongdaemun-gu Deploys Autonomous Patrol Robot at Public Parking Facility

Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu launched a pilot program Friday, deploying an autonomous patrol robot at the Hoegi-dong public parking lot — located below Cheongnyangcho Elementary School — to strengthen fire prevention and resident safety.

The district plans to secure technical stability throughout June before moving to full operation in July.

The patrol robot uses V-SLAM technology for autonomous navigation, recognizing and assessing its surroundings while avoiding obstacles. It is equipped with sensors to detect high temperatures, heat sources and gas leaks, capturing subtle anomalies in real time.

The robot's primary mission is safety management and fire surveillance in the unmanned underground parking facility, as well as crime prevention in blind spots.

As it moves through every corner of the parking lot, the robot records live footage and immediately transmits any signs of abnormality to the Dongdaemun Facilities Management Corporation's integrated parking control center, enabling a swift initial response.

The district has drawn up a flexible patrol schedule that avoids peak commuting hours when vehicle congestion is high, focusing instead on time slots when the risk of crime and safety incidents is greatest.

Patrols are divided into five daily time slots — early morning (4:30–7:10 a.m., 8 rounds), morning (9:50–10:50 a.m., 3 rounds), afternoon (2:30–4:30 p.m., 6 rounds), evening (8:00–9:00 p.m., 3 rounds) and late night (11:00 p.m.–2:20 a.m., 10 rounds) — for a total of 30 rounds per day, with each round taking approximately 20 minutes.

The district expects the robot to fill security gaps in the enclosed underground parking facility and to contribute to the early detection of and initial response to electric vehicle fires, which have emerged as a growing social concern.

In addition, the sight of the robot moving autonomously through the facility is expected to serve as a strong visual deterrent against potential criminal activity.

"The introduction of a patrol robot incorporating cutting-edge technology has allowed us to further reinforce the unmanned operation of our parking facilities," Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung said. "We will do our utmost to create a smart and safe parking environment where residents can use the facility with peace of mind, even during late-night hours."