Security robots on patrol
No one would call me a “technician”. I’m still having trouble operating my smartphone and sometimes out of utter frustration I feel like slamming it into a wall. But I realize that technology does not stand still and I understand the value of embracing technology. In the security business, not all new high-tech “inventions” have proven themselves, but embracing the technology is essential, as it can often improve workflows, increase efficiency, and help leverage finite resources. .
In today’s fast-paced world, there seems to be some novel security device or software that comes out almost daily. I have lived long enough to get used to scanners that read license plates. Facial recognition that can identify a known criminal or “invaded” person as soon as they enter a premise such as a shopping mall is common. And proximity readers, magnetic card readers, and smart cards with embedded microprocessors are standard in many physical security configurations.
Security officers are an expensive necessity
One of the biggest security costs for businesses is human security officers (guards). No one knows for sure, but it has been estimated that there are at least 2 million security guards performing guard duty in the U.S. Although the average security guard in the U.S. earns a salary of less than $ 12.00 per hour (some much less), when a company adds up the total hours and all associated costs, the total cost of security officers can easily be one of the largest security expenses.
Sophisticated surveillance cameras are commonplace in facility security, but there is still a need for “human eyes” and many companies have no real alternative to paying the bill for security guards. But recently several companies have created Security robots! Could traditional security officers be replaced by robots making human security officers a thing of the past?
Security robots are here!
Several different security robots have been developed and some are more sophisticated and capable than others. One of the latter is the one made by a California company and looks like a fancy phallic-shaped trash can that is 300 pounds and 5 feet tall. It reportedly travels autonomously up to 3 miles per hour. This robot is a fusion of technology: robotics, sensors, autonomous predictive analytics, thermal imaging, and maybe a few more tech “things” that the manufacturer has yet to publicly reveal.
This robot reportedly has the ability to scan 300 vehicle license plates per minute in a parking lot or structure. This is useful for detecting vehicles that are of interest to people who work at a location, such as disgruntled employees, harassers, or people who have restraining orders that prohibit them from being on or near certain employees. By identifying a prohibited vehicle on the premises, the robot provides actionable safety intelligence. A human security officer can receive instant information from the Robot on a smartphone and respond to the scene and take appropriate action. The ability to know a situation in real time gives a human security officer the ability to respond quickly and hopefully resolve an issue before it escalates into violence.
Privacy concerns
Some citizens have expressed their privacy concerns as the “Big Brother” robot watches their every move. But the reality is that they are already being watched by human security personnel, undercover store detectives, maintenance personnel, and high-tech surveillance cameras. And, every time you enter a private facility, the facility almost White card authority to watch your every move.
Security robots to increase human security
Will human security officers lose their jobs with the advent of Security robots? The job of a security officer is sometimes routine and boring, and human officers need to take breaks to stay physically and mentally alert. A security robot does not have those needs. It just goes on and on and on.
It is too early to know how security robots will affect general physical security strategies and practices, as the technology is still emerging. Currently, Security Robots are neither designed nor intended for intervention. Your role is to be a dominant or “authoritarian” presence and act as a “lookout” and hopefully serve as a deterrent to nefarious activities.
Security robots as a force multiplier
A human security officer can only be in one location at a time. The security robot is a “force multiplier” in the sense that a single security officer can instantly access all the information collected by the robot via smartphone. When using Security robots become more commonplace, its use will likely reduce the number of life safety officers required in many security locations. But he will not replace all human security officers. The ‘smart eyes, ears and nose’ of a security robot can see, hear and smell, but the robot cannot take any action based on these sensors other than sound an alarm. A life safety officer is needed to respond to the scene and determine the appropriate course of action.
Security robots it will likely change the role of a traditional uniformed security officer from what is often a security “watchman” or “monitor” to an incident first responder. When this happens, the emergency response responsibilities of a security officer will require more training and this increased responsibility and training will likely result in a greater recognition of the value of a life safety officer. Over time, this increased responsibility and professionalism should result in higher human security “first responders” salaries.