Physical security is becoming a critical priority to businesses due to the increase in violent crime and terrorism. More and more companies are adding security guards to protect their employees and residents. Now there are affordable, cost-reducing state-of-the-art robots that can be added to your property to help increase security coverage while dramatically reducing costs. Very often companies will add robots to their human security guard team to increase coverage while reducing costs.
My Robot Security Guard Experience
This is one of the new robot Security Guards (watch 15-second video above) patrolling Microsoft's Mountain View California Campus. I recently attended an early morning meeting at the company. As I got out of my car, I came face to face with the robot - it was looking at me and I was looking at it. After about 15 seconds of checking me out, it turned around and continued its patrol of the parking lot. I quickly followed behind it for a minute and recorded the robot stopping again.
I did a little research and found that the robot was a Knightscope security guard weighing almost 400 lbs and was equipped with the latest audio, video, heat sensors, facial recognition, employee badge scanners, and dozens of other sensors that were being monitored by humans in a secure operations center :)
Who is using Security Guard Robots
Security Guard Robots are used in many different industries and the list is growing. The following are some some industry examples:
Company Offices, Campuses and Parking Garages
Hospital Patient Areas and Garages
Community Association Properties (Apartment Complexes or Home Subdivisions)
Gated Communities
Hotel Halls and Parking Lots
Shopping Malls
Public Parks
Manufacturing Plants
Warehouses
Stadiums
Resorts and Casinos
Government Buildings
Features of Robot Security Guards
The following chart shares some of the amazing features available today in the latest Robot Security Guards.
Photo credit: Knightscope Security
Robot Return on Investment - ROI
One Security Guard Robot, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, costs between $4-$12 per hour including remote human monitoring. That adds up to $50-$60,000 per year. An unarmed basic security guard will cost between $15 - $50 per hour or approximately $200,000 per year. Most companies use a mix of robot security guards combined with human guards. In many cases you save 50-percent on every robot you deploy versus another human security guard.
Robot vs Human Security Guard Costs
Digital Transformation of Security Guards using Robots
The use of robots in business continues to accelerate. This is a great example of how you can save money and improve security by using the latest robotic technology. Note: We highlighted the Knightscope robots as examples of business technology available today. We were not affiliated or paid by Knightscope for this article.
Please contact us if you have more questions or want to discuss Digital Transformation in your company to lower costs and increase business.
Update: The article was originally posted in October 2017 and updated in May 2020