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Seoul. Robot guards with sensors to detect abnormal behavior will soon begin patrolling South Korean prisons to ease the burden on their human counterparts, researchers said on Thursday.

A group of scientists has developed the robot warders under a one billion won ($850,000) project organized by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

The robots — measuring 1.5 meters high and running on four wheels — will primarily be used at night.

They can connect prisoners with officers through a remote conversation function, according to a statement from the Asian Forum for Corrections, a South Korea-based group of researchers in criminality and prison policies.

AFC pioneered the project in cooperation with South Korea’s Ministry of Justice.

The robots’ sensors will enable them to detect abnormalities such as suicidal behavior and violence and quickly report it to officers in charge, according to the researchers.

Professor Lee Baik-chul of Kyonggi University, who led the design process and heads the AFC, said it was intended to let human guards focus more on correction and rehabilitation efforts.

“As we’re almost done with creating its key operating system, we are now working on refining its details to make the robots look more friendly to inmates,” Lee was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

Three of the robots will be tested at a correctional facility in the southeastern city of Pohang next March when development is completed.

South Korea aims to be a world leader in robotics. It has already designed models to teach English in schools, stand guard on the border with North Korea, fight taekwondo bouts, act in plays and clean a home.

Agence France-Presse