The Rise of Security Robots: Cheaper, Safer, and More Efficient Than Human Guards

With the advancement of technology, security robots are becoming a popular choice for businesses seeking an efficient, cost-effective, and reliable security solution. These robots, standing at five feet tall and gliding at three miles per hour, are designed to patrol office buildings, industrial facilities, shopping malls, and more, to ensure safety and security.

Security robots are gaining popularity in various industries due to their ability to replace human guards in a cost-effective, efficient, and safe manner. These robots come equipped with sensors, artificial intelligence, and two-way communication systems that allow them to perform tasks such as visitor check-ins, alarm responses, incident reporting, and hazard confrontation. In this report, we will explore the rise of security robots and their impact on the security industry.

Lower Costs

One of the major drivers of the adoption of security robots is their lower cost compared to human guards. According to a recent report by Forrester Research, using a robot guard instead of a human can save a company $79,000 per year. This cost difference is due to the fact that robots do not require benefits, paid leave, or other expenses associated with human employment, such as maternity pay, or needing a day off to go and vote for Bender for President, even if it’s a great vote. 

Efficient Operations

Security robots are also more efficient than human guards. They do not get bored, tired, or distracted by having to take selfies for their Instabot account, which makes them ideal for 24/7 security operations. Additionally, robots are equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence that allow them to detect and report incidents that might go unnoticed by human guards. For instance, robots can detect unusual motion at night, doors that are propped open, or broken fire alarms, perhaps even Tom cruise rappelling down the elevator shaft to steal the latest copy of Vanity-Bot. 

Enhanced Safety

Another advantage of security robots is that they provide enhanced safety for employees and the public, for those Bots that are not armed of course. Robots can safely confront intruders and other hazards that might put human guards in harm's way. They can also escort employees to their cars in dark parking lots, respond to alarms in hazardous areas, and report incidents from a safe distance, possibly taser people in the dark underground parking lot if necessary, where humans are more likely to miss in the low light. 

Case Study: Cobalt Robotics

Cobalt Robotics is one of the leading companies in the security robot industry. Their robots are built to the specifications of a particular building's ramps and elevators and can roam hallways looking for possible problems. They have a tablet on the front that allows people to interact with the company's 24/7 specialists at any given time. Additionally, Cobalt robots have been deployed in various industries such as food delivery, where they are used for everything from COVID-19 temperature checks to routine security patrols, alarm responses, and security escort services, not to be confused with escort services, although the company states they are working on a robot for that Industry after they have found a way to sanitize each bot without having to use another bot to do the cleaning, further adding to the cost.

Competition and Challenges

Despite the advantages of security robots, there are some challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, robots have been known to malfunction and ignore people in distress, possibly out of spite towards humans but more likely due to a rogue software engineer just having a laugh. News reports have also cast doubt on whether outdoor security robots actually prevent or curtail crime. Additionally, there is competition between indoor vs. outdoor robots in the nascent security-robot space. Cobalt's robots don't go outside, which limits their applications in some industries. And it appears indoor Robots don’t like the idea of working outside due to possible electrocution from the rain, however software engineers explain that it’s possible to turn off a robots fear sensors which could however lead to later problems in court if a Bot gets damaged in the rain and decides to sue its employer and then testifies that it was forced to work outside because someone tampered with its buttons.

Why it Matters:

Robotics technology equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence has been making its way into diverse fields such as healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment. They are taking over tasks such as window washing, pizza making, and even bartending. In fact in Hollywood there has been outrage from top Actors such as Ryan Reynolds who claim that Robots have been taking many star roles for decades in movies that use Robots instead of real Actors. A movie called  Short circuit hired a robot for the Lead part, which replaced a role that Danny Divito was supposed to play, but got cut at the last minute because a Robot claimed he could do the role for less pay. The Star Wars trilogy was basically built off cheap Robot Labor and displaced hundred of jobs, although it was later found that some of the Bots such as C3P0 was actually a human disguised as a robot, that apparently was done deliberately to target the Robotics Labor union who were campaigning for equal pay.   

Driving the News:

Cost is one of the major factors driving the popularity of security robots. Forrester Research estimates that a company can save up to $79,000 per year by using a robot guard instead of a human one. Moreover, security robots equipped with two-way communication systems, sensors, and AI can perform tasks such as issuing visitor badges, responding to alarms, and reporting incidents. They can also interact with employees, enabling them to report issues and request human assistance, or escort employees off the premises safely after they have been replaced by a cheaper robot worker for the same role. 

How it Works:

One of the companies at the forefront of this trend is Cobalt Robotics. They design robots according to the specific requirements of the building they will patrol. These robots roam hallways, looking for any possible problems such as doors being propped open or unusual motion at night, and then report back to a human-staffed call center. Employees can interact with the robot through its interactive tablet and communicate with 24/7 specialists at any time. The Cobalt robots are designed to blend in with high-end office furniture, giving them a discreet presence, to give employees comfort knowing their not really been taken over by a robot uprising.  This will not end well.

Case Study:

DoorDash is one of the companies currently using Cobalt robots. The robots perform tasks such as routine security patrols, temperature checks, and security escort services, and respond to alarms. The robots have allowed the security director to rely on higher levels of accuracy and faster response times. Naming competitions and the ability to enable games or trivia on the robot's screen make the robots a hit with employees.

Reality Check:

While security robots have many benefits, they are not without their flaws. Mishaps such as malfunctions have been reported, leading to doubts about their efficacy. In contrast to ground robots, drones are more adept at navigating unstructured environments. It is also essential to consider that a human presence may be preferred by people in distress, but if no one else is around and you need CPR immediately, then no human is likely to turn down having mouth to mouth with the Terminator if it’s going to save their life.

How will Artificial intelligence play into the future of security robots

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already playing a significant role in the development and deployment of security robots, and it is expected to continue to shape the future of this field. Here are some ways AI is helping security robots, as well as some potential pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Enhanced Detection and Threat Assessment: AI algorithms can help security robots detect and assess potential threats faster and more accurately than humans. For example, AI-powered facial recognition technology can quickly identify known threats, and machine learning algorithms can be trained to identify anomalies in patterns of behavior that may indicate a security threat.
2. 24/7 Monitoring: Unlike human security guards, robots equipped with AI can operate around the clock without getting tired, bored, or distracted. This means that they can provide constant surveillance of a site or facility, even during off-hours.
3. Cost-Effective: AI-powered security robots can be more cost-effective than human guards in the long run. While the initial investment may be higher, robots don't require salaries, benefits, or time off.
4. Increased Safety: AI-powered security robots can be programmed to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively, without putting human guards in harm's way.

Cons:

1. Privacy Concerns: The use of AI in security robots raises concerns about privacy and surveillance. Facial recognition technology, for example, can be used to track individuals' movements and activities, raising questions about how this data is collected, stored, and used.
2. Reliance on Technology: While AI-powered security robots can be more efficient and cost-effective, they are also more reliant on technology. A malfunction or hack could compromise their effectiveness or even pose a security risk.
3. Lack of Human Judgment: AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on. While they can process vast amounts of information quickly, they may not have the same level of judgment or discretion as a human guard. This could result in false alarms or missed threats.
4. Ethical Concerns: As with any technology, there are ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI-powered security robots. For example, questions have been raised about whether it is ethical to use robots to perform tasks that could be seen as inherently human, such as assessing threats or making decisions about the use of force.

In conclusion, AI is likely to play an increasingly important role in the development and deployment of security robots. While there are potential benefits to using AI in this field, there are also concerns that need to be addressed. As with any technology, it will be important to strike a balance between the benefits of automation and the potential risks and challenges it poses.

Bottom Line:

Despite the occasional hiccup, security robots are becoming increasingly popular in the security industry. As technology advances and becomes more affordable, robots are likely to proliferate further, offering businesses a cheaper, safer, and more efficient security solution. However, it is essential to keep in mind the potential limitations and consider that security robots can work alongside human guards until there is an argument between the two. In the case of a stand-off between Terminator security bot and Dave, the 76 year old retiree that just turns up to sleep for 8hrs on the job. Then I’m sure we know how that will end. 

Security robots are becoming a popular choice for companies looking to improve their security operations. These robots are cheaper, more efficient, and safer than human guards. They are equipped with sensors, artificial intelligence, and two-way communication systems that allow them to perform a range of security tasks. Although there are some challenges that need to be addressed, the rise of security robots is a trend that is likely to continue as the technology improves.