RobotLand
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Robot Land theme park gets investors, conceptual renders
Plans for the Robot Land theme park in Masan, on South Korea's South East Coast, have been gaining momentum since we first took note way back in 2007. According to Plastic Pals, a group of private investors recently met with the city council (probably Masan's city council, as Robot Land's city council has yet to be built) to hash out details, with the result of the government ponying up some $229 million of a promised $600 million. But not everyone is happy about all this -- indeed, organizers of Incheon City's robot theme park are unamused by the thought of a similar attraction competing for those hard-earned tourist dollars. Of course, there's one way to settle any potential conflict that Engadget wholeheartedly supports: Robot theme park fight! Just as long as the winner doesn't turn on us. %Gallery-85229%
Robot Land theme park finally breaking ground in South Korea
Or, at least we hope it is. If you'll recall, we heard way back in August of 2007 that South Korea was set to begin construction on a robot-themed park. Here we are in 2009, and we're basically getting the same story all over again. Reportedly, the nation's Ministry of Knowledge Economy is expecting to get going on Robot Land this year, as the government has set aside $559 million for construction in Incheon. We're also told that actual plans for that second park have yet to materialize, making us wonder even more if this whole thing isn't slipping to vaporware status. At any rate, the parks would sure be good for the local economy (assuming anyone has the money to go), but we're at the point of recommending that you not hold your breath on seeing this up by the promised open date of year-end 2013.
South Korea set to build "Robot Land"
South Korea already has a pretty decent claim on being the land of robots, but it looks like the country is now trying to make it official, with it soon set to begin construction on an industrial city designed specifically for the robotics industry. Of course, this so-called "Robot Land" won't be all work an no play, with exhibition halls and, yes, even a stadium for robot competitions planned in addition to the usual research centers and homes for manufacturers and parts suppliers. According to Korea.net, a government committee will pick the site for the city this November, with construction then set to get underway sometime in 2009 (with the help of more than a few robot workers no doubt). While complete details on funding won't be announced until after the site is chosen, it'll apparently cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 billion won (or roughly $530 million), 50 billion won of which is expected to come from the government.[Via WaziWazi, thanks Daanish]
