Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

robot vacuum image via Shutterstock

Woman in South Korea attacked by robot vacuum cleaner that ate her hair

The little robot thought it was doing its job and the woman escaped serious injury.

IF YOU THINK waking up on a Monday morning is painful, you will certainly feel for the poor South Korean woman who was woken up by her robot vacuum cleaner which had eaten her hair.

The 52-year-old was woken by the pain in her head and realised the little robot had sucked up her hair while she slept on the floor. She called the fire department for help and paramedics eventually freed her, The Telegraph reports.

The Guardian said she escaped serious injury, though she did lose a few strands of hair.

These small robot cleaners have gained popularity in recent years. In theory, they are supposed to detect dust and suck it up, with sensors to help them avoid walks, tables and, er, people. This woman’s hair was obviously the exception.

Korean Biz Wire has pointed out that people in countries such as Japan and South Korea, where many people sit or sleep on the floor, could be more at risk of injuries from these sometimes fiendish little robots.

Read: A robot missing since 2003 has been found on Mars>

Pictures: The most futuristic cruise ship on the planet has a cocktail bar staffed by robots>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
34 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Falcone
    Favourite Alex Falcone
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:38 PM

    When is the film version of this story coming out?

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:46 PM

    @Alex Falcone: at the rate this story is getting milked, it will be a trilogy

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pablo
    Favourite Pablo
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:28 PM

    It’s a sad state of affairs when an ordinary good deed gets such media coverage not once but twice. Talk about flogging a story to death.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Connolly
    Favourite Matt Connolly
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:46 PM

    @Pablo: “and what about the tiresome cynicism back home by Some?”

    Welcome to the comment section of the journal

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter keogh
    Favourite Peter keogh
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:06 PM

    Tyresome I see what you did there

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Peyton
    Favourite Derek Peyton
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:07 PM

    It’s been a GoodYear for these type of stories

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Mulligan
    Favourite Niall Mulligan
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:32 PM

    Deadly act of kindness completely overcooked and personified by the self praising “we’re better than England” bollox that came with it.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Viking
    Favourite The Viking
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:22 PM

    Fairplay lads

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mac
    Favourite John Mac
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Tbh, id like to think if most ordinary joes had come across elderly people trying to change their flat tyre, wouldnt hesitate to help out.

    Now fair play but its not exactly jumping on top of a suicide bomber to muffle the bomb blast to save everyone.

    More than a bit cringing to bring english fans into it? Best fans in the world, did you know that?

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Scott
    Favourite Ian Scott
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 2:47 PM

    Sat in key West with an Irish family and to be fair it’s a pleasure to be Irish.. They are manic but fun and friendly plus living life.. Proud to be Irish

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Congress Tart
    Favourite Congress Tart
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 4:26 PM

    This is more self congratulatory than the IFTAs.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:08 PM

    The difference between Irish and English fans – nobody scapegoats Irish fans for violence even when they suffer uprovoked attacks.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Phil Officer
    Favourite Mr Phil Officer
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:36 PM

    Hardly unprovoked, English fans have a history of violence at these tournaments, the last time they were in Marseille they attacked the locals so violence was predicted. I’d have more respect for them if they took their beatings on the chin but their still shocked and amazed at how a team like Iceland managed to beat them on the pitch and still crying about been beat at their own game of hooliganism off it.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute canuckandgo
    Favourite canuckandgo
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 5:03 PM
    6
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 5:43 PM

    Then you clearly aren’t familiar with how hooliganism is dealt with here. Our ‘ultras’ are all known to the authorities and typically have their passports confiscated before major tournaments. The fans who were left in comas after being beaten with chairs and iron bars were precisely that – ordinary fans. NOT hooligans. Neither were the fans who were attacked by local French gangs in Marseilles – you might react badly too if some local yobs attacked you purely for wearing Ireland shirts. It’s also pretty clear the French authorites were extremely slapdash in their handling – remind us who allowed Russian ultras to smuggle a FLARE GUN into a packed stadium?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute canuckandgo
    Favourite canuckandgo
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 5:58 PM

    Harry… The fact that hooliganism is dealt with says it all…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 6:13 PM

    Does it though? If the UK spent a load of money and effort into dealing with England’s hooliganism, it says more about other countries’ willingness to attribute blame even when the actual evidence suggests England fans were not acting without provocation.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute canuckandgo
    Favourite canuckandgo
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 6:53 PM

    Provocation? They don’t have to fight you know…. They are generally grown adults….

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 7:24 PM

    As I said to Phil, think (realistically, mind) how you might react if some local yobbos start attacking you as you were sat outside having a drink with friends/family. I’m sure it’s mighty comfy preaching from that high horse of yours.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 7:54 PM

    I don’t know about you but I’d do a runner

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 3:37 PM

    I thought the country was broke ?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick James Walsh
    Favourite Patrick James Walsh
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 9:07 PM

    We really need to grow up, in this country, all this need to be liked and thought of as `great craic`, and the `best fans in the world`, borefest at best, smacks of inferiority complex and narcissistic navel gazing. Newsflash; The rest of the world do go about thinking and talking about ` how great the Irish soccer fans are because they changed someone`s tyre`. People have important and interesting things to think about.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Drake
    Favourite Nick Drake
    Report
    Dec 27th 2016, 7:53 PM

    ‘We all had a drink in our hand’ – how typically Irish and further driving home the stereotype….

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aural Abuse
    Favourite Aural Abuse
    Report
    Dec 28th 2016, 12:24 AM

    The behavior of our fans does more for tourism to this country than money ever could.

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds