Robotics and their place in Security – is it inevitable?

We are experiencing a shift in the security industry, especially when it comes to guarding.

Due to COVID-19, other physical risks in the guarding industry and low pay, many guarding companies are experiencing what is commonly referred to as The Great Resignation.

In the United States alone more then 38 million workers quit their jobs in 2021. In the US, guard companies have only 65% to 75% of their contracted staffing needs met.

Many service providers are struggling to service existing contracts.

This climate makes a strong business case for robotics due to the shortage of qualified and available people in the guarding industry.

There are several areas where a robotic security device can assist the guarding industry. The primary area is utilising a robotic device to accomplish repetitive but necessary tasks. These tasks are presently being performed by humans. These tasks could include health checks, lobby monitoring, processing an access credential, or visitor management tasks. Additionally robotic devices could be used for monitoring behaviours, patrol support (human patrols that are informed and supported by a robotic device) and patrols.

 

Robots could increase the efficiency of patrols using AI to continuously monitor activities at multiple locations. The robots could communicate with the patrol officer via a smart phone application. Alerting the office when activity is detected.

This would provide a less costly service for end users, greater efficiency for the patrol service and increase the ability to interrupt criminal activity.

The mundane task of monitoring would be left to the robotic device, while the critical thinking skills of the human would be maximised in the response.

 

Research shows that there would be a cost benefit to hiring. Robots don’t take time off. They are reliable with a 99.9% uptime, Even taking into the equation regular servicing for maintenance.

 

International Security Experts say that when you consider the reliability, changed business models and cost benefit you can see why the move to robotic devices is inevitable for a more reliable service.

link to full article in NZSA