Robot Land

Some interesting information from a report today that Korea is planning to fund a robot theme park.

Early concept for a robot theme park in Incheon Korea

The first of its kind, “Robot Land” would be located in Incheon and feature entertainment facilities, exhibition halls, R&D centers, education buildings, and other support facilities. Most of the $562 million investment money (87%) comes from private investors, with national and local governments splitting the remainder of the bill. Incheon beat out Masan for the first park, but other sites could join Robot Land in the future. Construction at Incheon will be completed in three years, though open to the public by 2012.

Among the other tidbits coming from the article:

• The robot theme parks are expected to generate 2.8 trillion won ($2.4M) and create 18,000 jobs.
• The Korean government is emphasizing development of service robots that help clean homes and provide entertainment.
• Korea ranks fifth in terms of revenue in the world’s existing manufacturing robotics market (led by Japan and the United States).
• The service robot market is expected to be worth between $17-50 billion by the time the park opens.
• The robotics industry will resolve the issue of labor shortage caused by an aging Korean population.

The motivation and support of the Korean government is clearly tied to strengthening the national interest in robotics as a way to help economic interests. The Scooby Doo aficionado in me, though, recalls the last time a robot ran a theme park.

Thanks to @bekindtorobots for the tip.