Faced with labor shortages and high turnover in the security industry, companies are turning to robots to fill the gaps. ADT Commercial, a leading security services provider, has invested in robotics company 1X and is currently testing 10 humanoid robots in its monitoring center and customer locations. These androids are able to detect disturbances or intrusions and notify people equipped with virtual reality headsets.
Also, the University of Nevada, Reno has partnered with Knightscope, a robotics startup, to deploy robots for patrolling purposes. These robots are trained to detect weapons and gunshots, record at eye level, use facial recognition, and serve as a physical deterrent.
Other companies such as Ava Robotics and Ascento are also entering the market with their own security robots. Ava Robotics, a spin-off from iRobot, is partnering with Johnson Controls to develop robots that augment and automate tasks, address labor shortages and provide remote access. Ascento’s robots are designed to monitor and protect parking lots by generating messages and assisting human security guards with surveillance.
While some industry leaders believe that robots will continue to evolve and play an important role in security strategies, others are more skeptical. Allied Universal CEO Steve Jones acknowledges the technology’s potential, but stresses that robots have limited use and are not yet widespread in the industry. Stefan Chréttier, chief executive of GardaWorld, does not foresee robots replacing human guards in the near future.
Despite differing opinions, investment in security-focused robotics companies is on the rise. In 2019, global venture capital investment in robotics and drone companies reached $814 million, a significant increase from $434 million in 2018.
Sources:
– Source 1: “Robots and the future of security” article, Financial Times
– Source 2: PitchBook dataset
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2023-09-24 10:19:20
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