The Robotics of Security, and You | SnällaBolaget.com

You may have already seen them. They may not be far away. They’re bound to be all around us, and it may not be a long way off.

We’re talking about security robots, of course. Some have already seen them patrolling shopping malls, seen one at LaGuardia, perhaps, working airport security, or watched one of them apparently commit suicide on YouTube. The introduction of security robots that actually look and feel like the robots we envision, is new. The use of AI, the moving around, approaching us, communicating directly with the people around them, is relatively new, but using robotics in security, however, is not. At the end of that, using AI is not new either, but it has certainly come a long way.

Anyone could be startled by something like the Knightscope K5 security robot rolling up on them, as one Financial Times columnist describes, portraying the thing as something akin to the infamous Daleks. There’s something to that – a 5 ft (152 cm) tall robot comes whizzing over and starts following you around can be somewhat of an intimidating experience, but in fact and as it is right now, there’s not much to them. They can’t take you into custody. They can’t detain or question you, they can’t take active measures against threats, whether they’re perceived or real. Their primary objective and task is the ever sturdy “observe and report”, which is the basics of any good security operation. In simple terms, they’re wandering, advanced surveillance cameras, and those have been around in many different forms for many years already.

They’ve been here a long, long time.

One of the most interesting things about the portrayal of security robots these days, is that they’re envisaged as something new. They are, of course, not. Security concepts, missions and operations have used several kinds of security robots for a long time. Granted, they may not be as advanced, or at least not as mobile, as some of the things we see in something like the Knightscope, but everything from automated security cameras, embedded electronics and devices both for detection and prevention has been used for a long time.

So is there really a need to be startled or scared, worried or nervous about being approached by a 5 ft. rolling security robot? Of course not. What we should be concerned about, is preserving the shreds of privacy that we have left, and prevent the mobility of such devices from encroaching on those rights. The natural progression of the rolling security robot, is a flying one, and this is of course also in use in several kinds of operations already.

Both security and law enforcement have embraced the advent of the advanced but still affordable drone technology, utilizing it both for surveillance and detection. Drone technology, however, is still relatively unreliable, susceptible to interference from both natural and man made sources. Which is why robots on the ground are still going to be the go-to solution in most cases.

Take a look at the Knightscope suicider below, and let us know what you think. Would you keep one of these in your house or back yard?