Knightscope Security Robot Examined

IPVM

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(1)

Scott Sheldrake

Your comment "Based on the size and height, it appears that it could be effectively neutralized by covering with a 55-gallon trash can liner."

Literally had me in tears laughing. Thanks for this!

That said, this might be cool on version 3.0

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(4)

Bill Hand

In reply to Scott Sheldrake

You know they sell hula hoops at Dollar Tree.

Throw one over it, and sit back and wait till it's battery runs down. :)

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Eddie Perry

lets see it doesn't shoot lasers, transform and can be easily trolled.

(not trying to be funny)

looks like its staying on the shelf, the corner, or where ever it rests

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Undisclosed Integrator #1

when will this fad of invention based start ups end? i see this becoming a money pit like brs labs.

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John Honovich

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

IPVM

money pit like brs labs

They have only raised ~$7 million so far but are in the process of raising $10 million at a $45 million valuation (see their AngelList page). As such, they are a long way from the BRS labs $100+ million level.

Silicon Valley is about swinging for grand slams. Most swings are strikeouts. Everyone once in awhile there are multi-billion exits.

They do have one advantage. The cost and availability of labor in the Bay area is very high right now, so if they can start by getting local tech companies to buy their products, they could build / expand from there.

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Brian Karas

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

IPVM

Personally, I'm glad there are companies like this exploring new areas and ideas for security. I'm not sure that security robots, or drones, are going to have a wide-scale impact on the market, but it's interesting to watch the development.

I'd like to see more companies doing things that are more substantial than another video doorbell, fingerprint reader, or nanny-cam level product.

The challenge is that security is not one of those high-profile B2C SaaS markets that investors love, so it can be hard to attract investor attention.

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(2)

John Honovich

IPVM

In reply to Brian Karas

Brian, what opportunities are there to apply this to areas / conditions that would be dangerous to humans? To use an extreme case, if there was an area with nuclear radiation, deploying humans would be expensive and risky, so it would be far easier to justify a robot. Are there more conventional but still risky to human scenarios where security robots could be better justified today?

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Brian Karas

IPVM

That's a good question.

It seems like there are two primary human-risk categories:

Areas that are hazardous and need continuous monitoring, where deploying fixed cameras probably make more sense.

Areas, like a nuke site, where temporary coverage is needed, in which case there are already tons of camera-on-remote-control-base options on the market.

There could also be scenarios like inspecting a building or bridge that is under construction or damaged, but it also seems like drones or existing (and lighter!) solutions exist there too.

An application for a security robot like these that I've heard over the years is museum displays and art auction houses. The museum or art house typically changes the floor plan regularly and wants a way to keep an eye on key items automatically. The robot would need to be able to self-navigate/learn the floorplan, and also be able to scan and "memorize" artwork and displays and alert if something was missing or altered. At a high level, it would seem like the Knightscope robots could do something like this.

I think the best approach for security robot might be similar to the above example, and along the lines where robots have traditionally been beneficial: automating a monotonous task where humans tend to lose interest. In this case the automated task is probably more of an observational one than a mechanical one (eg: a robot that performs welds). But even here you're limited to the niche of areas that can't be easily covered by fixed cameras.

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Undisclosed Integrator #2

In reply to Trevor Hughes

It's a Roomba with a camera connected to their remote monitoring center?

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(1)

Trevor Hughes

•Apr 20, 2016

[Disclaimer: I am employed by a VMS, Intelligent Security Systems (ISS) and we integrate with GuardBot, but have no other financial interest in the company]

Another interesting product is Guardbot.

It can navigate rough terrain (even through snow, sand and water), has vehicle/person avoidance functionality while on guardtour and can be fitted with a variety of sensors (PTZ camera, thermal, chemical, biological)

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(1)

John Honovich

•Apr 20, 2016

IPVM

Trevor, thanks. I embedded a video inside your comment so people can learn more.

Have you seen it being used in deployment?

I think it is worth an IPVM post but curious how far the bot has gotten.

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Trevor Hughes

•Apr 20, 2016

We were working with Guardbot on a Port Container Recognition project. It basically entailed putting the bot on tour around the facility (while avoiding vehicles) and having it use our software (SecurOS Cargo) to recognise the container numbers and feed GPS location data into a database usable by the terminal management software to have reliable tracking data on containers on site.

Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition, but the people at Guardbot were very responsive, knowledgeable set expectations for the product at what looked like a realistic level.

I would like to continue working with them and I will for sure update the IPVM community on future projects if the end user and integrator allow.

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Karoly Turoczi

It might be cheaper than a security guard but it can't do citizen's arrest. And a security guard cannot be stolen.

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Undisclosed #3

In reply to Karoly Turoczi

IPVMU Certified

And a security guard cannot be stolen.

But they can be "bought", no?

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Bill Hand

Meet R2-DilDo.. LOL!

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Andrew Lee

China Unveils “Anti-Riot” Security Robot That Will Patrol Public Places

looks like a Hikvision camera in it

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John Honovich

IPVM

In reply to Andrew Lee

Andrew, good find. Here is the related Xinhua video:

Video: An expo in China's Chongqing is hosting the country's first security and service robot pic.twitter.com/GKtZktfMyZ
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) April 22, 2016

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John Honovich

•Apr 26, 2016

IPVM

More info from the Chinese government on the China robot, AnBot.

Interesting tidbit:

Capable of eight hours of continuous work, AnBot is able to patrol autonomously and protect against violence or unrest.

Compared to Knightscope:

The typical patrol is 2.5 hours of activity, with a 20 minute "break" to recharge.

So China's robots are harder working than American ones....

The China robot may include a stun gun:

When people around AnBot face security threats, the robot’s control personnel can remotely deploy AnBot’s electrically charged riot control tool.

"Electrically charged riot control tool" = stun gun?

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John Honovich

•Apr 27, 2016

IPVM