▲HUBO kneels and uses its wheels as it carries the torch

South Korea's pride and joy, humanoid robot “HUBO” was a torchbearer for the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games torch relay, which was carried out on the afternoon of the 11th at Daejeon’s KAIST.

Under a light sprinking of snowflakes, hundreds attended the event, including PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee President Hee-beom Lee, world-renowned robot scientist UCLA Professor Dennis Hong and KAIST Professor Junho Oh. Media outlets from around the world including Japan and China were in attendance to cover the event.

▲After cutting through the barrier wall, HUBO at last passes on the torch to Prof. Junho Oh

The torch relay took place on the KAIST campus and covered a distance of about 3km. At 4:30 the ceremony began with a parade during which UCLA Professor Dennis Hong rode in on an autonomous vehicle driven by HUBO. After disembarking at the front gates, the torch relay began when Prof. Hong passed the torch to HUBO. HUBO received the torch, and in a wheeled kneeling position, began the torch relay. The plan was for the robot to re-enact its winning moves at the 2015 DRC by removing a walled barrier with a drill, then passing on the torch to its creator Prof. Junho Oh, who would be standing at the other side of the wall. Unfortunately, due to a network disconnection, HUBO was stalled for several minutes, much to the regret of the spectators. Once the network connection was re-established, however, HUGO was able to completely break down the barrier, after which it outstretched its hand to pass on the torch to Prof. Oh.

▲Prof. Junho Oh uses an elevated platform to pass on the torch to a future robot scientist (“Dream Tree”) who sits atop the FX-2

Professor Oh carried the torch to the “ICT Dream Trees” [budding robot scientists] using a 130cm high tandem stand. One of these students, Jeong-jae Lee boarded the FX-2 robot and entered the torch relay, much to the envy of those around him.

▲UCLA Professor Dennis Hong and future aspiring scientists (“Dream Trees”) at the on-site Press Conference

After the ceremony, Professor Hong remarked, "In spite of the freezing weather, the enthusiasm of those here is very hot," at the on-site press conference. Aspiring robot scientist Jeong-jae Lee who was lucky enough to ride the FX-2 and manipulate the robot said, "I am very honored to represent the Samsung Junior Software members and take part in the torch relay. I want to develop technology like the FX-2 and be a scientist representing Korea." When asked about how he felt about being able to directly manipulate the robot, he answered, “I was able to have a pleasant experience thanks to the contributions of many people, and even though I was able to manipulate it, it was so well made that I can only say I’m grateful.”

▲UCLA Professor Dennis Hong carries the torch while riding in a car driven by HUBO

When asked how he felt about HUBO’S driving, Professor Hong said, "HUBO is this country’s most advanced robot – the robot that won at the last world DRC robot challenge. I went to the competition, and at the time it was very difficult for a robot to drive a car. Especially in an outdoor environment, where control is limited and there are many people. The fact that a robot drove out there is really something. However, I think that it was a great success not because a car was developed for the purpose of having a robot drive it; rather because it was a disaster rescue robot driving it. When a reporter asked whether he was worried about the robot’s driving skills around a curve, he answered, “I was more worried about setting the robot on fire as I was handing the torch to him,” which drew laughter from those in attendance. He then asked for everyone’s support in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and ended the press conference with a hearty call of enthusiasm.

▲Prof. Dennis Hong and the Organizing Committee President Hee-beom Lee give a hearty shout of encouragement at the starting point before setting off.

▲While sitting in a car driven by HUBO, Prof. Dennis Hong carries the torch and waves to the crowd

▲After stepping off the car, HUBO performs a “torch kiss.”

▲HUBO receives the torch from Prof. Dennis Hong and lights its torch.

▲A lively scene filled with police, press, event officials, and spectators

▲HUBO kneels and uses its wheels as it carries the torch.

▲HUBO kneels and uses its wheels to move to the barrier.

▲A barrier wall stands between Prof. Junho Oh and HUBO.

▲HUBO uses a tool to cut through the barrier.

▲After a brief setback, HUBO and Prof. Junho Oh exchange a “torch kiss.”

▲After the successful torch exchange, Prof. Junho Oh greets the crowd.

▲Jeong-jae Lee, an aspiring robot scientist part of the “Dream Tree” sits in the mounted-type FX-2 robot to control it.

▲The ICT “Dream Trees” did it together.

▲After the ceremony, Organizing Committee President Hee-beom Lee and Prof. Junho Oh answer the reporters’ questions.

▲An associate from China’s CCTV tries out the mounted-type robot.