In the wake of the unprovoked murder of a 23-year-old woman at a unisex public restroom in Gangnam, Seoul National University will install sirens inside women’s restrooms that can be triggered at the sound of a scream, starting from Tuesday. 

According to the institute’s College of Engineering, the women’s restrooms located on the fifth floor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will transform in to what the school proudly promoted as a “Smart Safe Restroom.” 

Electronic tablets topped with various sensors that detect sound, heat and smoke will be installed to prevent future crimes.

The features that involve sound have attracted the most attention.

This sound sensor, when it picks up a sound similar in length and decibels to a crisis-situation scream, triggers alarm sirens and flashing lights. The case is automatically reported to police as well.

The company that developed this product said that existing emergency bells are not enough help in an emergency situation, stressing the convenience and effectiveness of the scream-triggered device.

The product will be available for sale by the end of June, after detailed features are tweaked and improved upon with the SNU students’ feedback.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)