The government will introduce network-based, state-of-the-art robots this year for public and household use.

The Ministry of Information and Communications disclosed an interim report Wednesday on the development of IT-based intelligent robots, and unveiled high-tech functions of an 'information contents' robot for household use and a 'public helper' robot.

The presentation was held in a ministry office-cum-simulated home environment whose computer systems were linked to a central server at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in Daejon.

The cutting edge robots are designed to perform chores, including cleaning, security, entertainment and education functions. Robots that can verbally communicate with their owners, visually recognize them and even deliver emergency cell phone messages will begin trial service in October, ushering in an era of commercialized robots.

Robots for household use will begin service from October while those for public use will start in November in places such as post offices.