{"id":8995,"date":"2021-11-17T09:23:06","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T09:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1373364"},"modified":"2021-11-17T09:23:06","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T09:23:06","slug":"if-this-self-driving-library-came-to-my-town-maybe-id-read-a-damn-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=8995","title":{"rendered":"If this self-driving library came to my town, maybe I\u2019d read a damn book"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I love reading books and that\u2019s why I have a membership card for my city\u2019s public library. Do I visit it often? No, I don\u2019t. <span>I\u2019m normally too busy or lazy to leave the house just for that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For the same reasons, I have a stash of books that I did manage to borrow from the library, which I return long after the due date and end up paying some pretty big fines.<\/p>\n<p>But what if I could have access to books while strolling around the city to get a coffee or something? That\u2019d definitely make it easier.<\/p>\n<p>So it\u2019s too bad that I\u2019m not living in Seongnam City in South Korea, where self-driving library robots will be demonstrated on November 19.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373372 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1-.jpeg\" alt=\"self-driving library robot South Korea\" width=\"680\" height=\"510\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1-.jpeg 680w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--280x210.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--180x135.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--360x270.jpeg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--368x276.jpeg 368w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/if-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2021%2F11%2F17%2Fif-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Boy, is it cute! Credit: Seongnam City\" data-title=\"Share Boy, is it cute! Credit: Seongnam City on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Boy, is it cute! Credit: Seongnam City on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>Boy, is it cute! Credit: Seongnam City<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373372\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1-.jpeg\" alt=\"self-driving library robot South Korea\" width=\"680\" height=\"510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1-.jpeg 680w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--280x210.jpeg 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--180x135.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--360x270.jpeg 360w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot1--368x276.jpeg 368w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Loaded up with 100 books, the autonomous bot will move along a 180m path across the <span>Tancheon Park promenade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> Anyone with a membership card&nbsp;issued by the Seongnam City Public Library can borrow up to two books and return them within two weeks to the designated return boxes installed on the promenade.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373379 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2.jpeg\" alt=\"self-driving library robot South Korea \" width=\"567\" height=\"519\" sizes=\"(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2.jpeg 567w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-229x210.jpeg 229w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-147x135.jpeg 147w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-295x270.jpeg 295w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/if-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2021%2F11%2F17%2Fif-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The autonomous vehicle is 1.8m long, 1.2m tall, and weighs 400kg. It uses lidar sensors to detect obstacles and an autonomous navigation algorithm for satellite navigation. Credit: Korea Award\" data-title=\"Share The autonomous vehicle is 1.8m long, 1.2m tall, and weighs 400kg. It uses lidar sensors to detect obstacles and an autonomous navigation algorithm for satellite navigation. Credit: Korea Award on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The autonomous vehicle is 1.8m long, 1.2m tall, and weighs 400kg. It uses lidar sensors to detect obstacles and an autonomous navigation algorithm for satellite navigation. Credit: Korea Award on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>The autonomous vehicle is 1.8m long, 1.2m tall, and weighs 400kg. It uses lidar sensors to detect obstacles and an autonomous navigation algorithm for satellite navigation. Credit: Korea Award<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373379\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2.jpeg\" alt=\"self-driving library robot South Korea \" width=\"567\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2.jpeg 567w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-229x210.jpeg 229w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-147x135.jpeg 147w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-bot-2-295x270.jpeg 295w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Although a self-driving vehicle isn\u2019t allowed to operate on sidewalks or crosswalks, and neither within parks if it weighs more than 30kg, the <span>Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has granted an exception to Seongnam City and approved the robot\u2018s promotion as a regulatory special case for demonstration.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The city plans <span>to run a pilot operation at Tancheon promenade and Yuldong Park by 2024, and then expand and operate library robots throughout the city, including neighborhood parks, residential areas, and apartment complexes by 2030.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Smart libraries are also a thing in South Korea<\/h3>\n<p>In October, <span>Seoul Metropolitan Library, operated by Seoul City, opened an automated library at the subway station City Hall.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>With over 1,000 books, it\u2019s the country\u2019s largest smart library, designed to make book rental services easy, accessible, and safe, especially amid the pandemic.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373378 js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul-.png\" alt=\"smart libraries Seoul \" width=\"640\" height=\"444\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul-.png 640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--280x194.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--195x135.png 195w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--389x270.png 389w\"><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/if-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fshift%2F2021%2F11%2F17%2Fif-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Seoul\u2019s smart library at City Hall station. Credit: Seoul City\" data-title=\"Share Seoul\u2019s smart library at City Hall station. Credit: Seoul City on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Seoul\u2019s smart library at City Hall station. Credit: Seoul City on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"><\/i><\/a>Seoul\u2019s smart library at City Hall station. Credit: Seoul City<\/figcaption><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1373378\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul-.png\" alt=\"smart libraries Seoul \" width=\"640\" height=\"444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul-.png 640w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--280x194.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--195x135.png 195w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/11\/library-seoul--389x270.png 389w\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><span>In the <a href=\"http:\/\/english.seoul.go.kr\/seoul-introduces-contact-free-all-year-round-smart-library-services\/?cat=46\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">press release<\/a>, the Chief Librarian of the Seoul Metropolitan Library noted:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote readability=\"8\">\n<p><span>We will keep expanding contact-free services. Also, to promote reading culture across the city, we will provide the best environment where citizens can borrow books all year round.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Promoting libraries and reading culture in a digitalized era is challenging, to say the least.<\/p>\n<p><span>Data released by <a href=\"http:\/\/kostat.go.kr\/portal\/eng\/index.action\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Statistics Korea<\/a> in September showed that, in 2020, the average number of visitors per library was down 69.5% year-on-year and the number of loaned books decreased 14.8%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>And my guess is that the numbers are unlikely to go up in the future.<\/p>\n<p>So, perhaps South Korea has got it right and the use of automated book rental services, such as smart libraries or self-driving robots, can contribute to the promotion of reading <em>actual<\/em> books.<\/p>\n<p>And personally, I can\u2019t wait to see a cute library bot strolling across my street.<\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/if-this-self-driving-library-came-to-town-maybe-i-would-read-a-damn-book\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I love reading books and that\u2019s why I have a membership card for my city\u2019s public library. Do I visit it often? No, I don\u2019t. I\u2019m normally too busy or lazy to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8995"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8995\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}