Autonomous Robots: The Future of Security and Surveillance?

The development and emergence of technologies in wireless communications, AI, and robotics have seen security and surveillance solutions evolve into a new generation of autonomous security robots.

These solutions have been gradually adopted by many companies in different industries around the world, and studies predict that the global market for security robots will grow even more significantly (up to 20% more) over the next 5 years.

Their applications range from monitoring and intrusion detection to asset, property, and personal protection. In addition, it brings benefits such as cost reduction and greater specialization of personnel in the area of security management. Therefore, many companies have begun to introduce autonomous robots as a way to improve their surveillance and security operations. We tell you more in-depth all the advantages.

Robotics and Automated Security

An autonomous mobile robot is a type of robot that can understand and navigate an environment independently. They use a sophisticated system of sensors, AI, and Machine Learning to plan routes and interpret the best option, without relying on electrical wires or predefined paths. This new generation of robots is equipped with cameras and sensors, so they can dodge obstacles while navigating, employing navigation techniques to slow down, stop or recalculate the route without collisions.

For many security professionals, most of their work is spent monitoring and patrolling. It is therefore a major effort in time investment, especially when dealing with very large areas.

Para muchos profesionales de la seguridad, la mayor parte de su trabajo se dedica a monitorear y patrullar. Supone, por tanto, un gran esfuerzo en inversión de tiempo, especialmente cuando se trata de áreas muy grandes.

Intelligent security robotics can identify problems that may go unnoticed by humans, tracking people and assets, patrolling physical areas, or recording data. Plus, they never sleep.

Benefits of Robotics in Security and Surveillance

Because safety is such an important concern, companies want to be safe at all times, and robots like Spot bring great advantages in performing these tasks:

Mobility and Flexibility

Autonomous security robots have the ability to move in complex environments, detecting and reporting anomalies in the environment. Their sensors and cameras allow them not to lose their balance, even when moving through complex terrain. With improvements in 5G networks, robots can traverse even larger and more complex areas.

Cost-Effectiveness

These automated robots are the perfect choice for organizations that need an acceleration of their security operations and want to invest in a device that can be more cost-effective in doing a task that is too time-consuming and exhaustive.

Reduced Worker Exposure to Danger

This may seem like the most obvious benefit, and it is. You exponentially reduce the exposure of human capital to hazards that pose a significant risk of injury or death. You move from a traditional method of light curtains or safety controllers to a no-contact environment.

Continuous Work

Unlike safety professionals, autonomous robots do not suffer from stress or fatigue and can work for longer periods of time. This makes them the perfect backup in cases of human error. Surveillance is ensured 24/7, with minimal need for human intervention.

Enhanced Workforce

Security robots can help enhance the capabilities of security professionals. Far from replacing them, they can help them with other more boring and time-consuming tasks, so they can focus on more important tasks.

Applications of Video Surveillance Robots

Many organizations have seen the need to look beyond traditional security solutions to protect against new threats and risks. Using security robots is the most flexible and cost-effective solution for these security and surveillance requirements.

At Plain Concepts, we have been working for years with companies in the industrial and construction sector to help them with solutions like this and in digitization processes using the latest technologies available. One example is Spot, the most advanced quadruped robot on the market. We have started working with it, starting from its initial hardware (360-degree vision, unique mobility on any type of surface, capacity to carry up to 14 kg, ability to climb stairs or ramps, dodge obstacles, etc.), on which we are adding sensors, AI on Edge devices and Wireless connectivity that allows us to adapt to the needs of our customers and its use in remote installations.

Spot is capable of collecting data in inspection tasks in hazardous environments such as high voltage installations or high-pressure steam pipes, reaching areas unreachable for a human being. It is also capable of scanning and mapping radiation levels, seismic activity, or detecting hazardous gases before and after an explosion.

More focused on the construction sector, the robot is able to inspect the progress of construction sites, map installations of new projects, create digital twins and compare construction conditions with BIM modeling.

One example is the partnership we have made with the Lobe Group. They have carried out tests in the Lemmon Building development in Madrid, where, thanks to Spot, they have been able to check and guarantee the correct development of the installations in real-time, carry out a review of insulation and execution control, as well as guarantee the quality of the installations and the verification of the surfaces on site.

Mixed Reality and Robots

After conducting some tests, we have launched a software solution that we have named Holo-Robot. This project will delve into the research and development of a tool to control the Spot robot through a mixed reality-based interface using Microsoft’s HoloLens 2.

This solution provides a new tool to increase safety in large industries, automating the reviews and inspections of hazardous areas of the plants.

To achieve this, the system will be equipped with a navigation system that allows the operator to move the robot without having to worry about obstacles in the way, as well as incorporating the management of movements on a virtual map.

The system will include computer vision capabilities that allow the robot to detect people, read meter figures or determine the status of a switch.

There are many reasons why companies will begin to introduce robots as a much-needed security solution. The innovations of these robots together with other technologies such as Mixed Reality, AI, or IoT will be the key to accelerating this development towards a more automated and productive model. We can help you find the solution that best suits your company.