ROBOT CRIME FIGHTERS

Robot Crime

If you’re a criminal in Silicon Valley, watch out for the K5! A company known as KnightScope (a likely undercover subsidiary of Nightrider) is looking at new ways to fight back against crime using technology. They’ve assembled a human size robot known as the K5 that provide a deeper level of surveillance and intimidation to criminals. These robots coming in at 5 feet tall and weighing a whopping 300 pounds, use lasers, high sensitivity microphones, and a 360 degree camera to guard the perimeter of an area. The lasers are, unfortunately, non-lethal as the robots are designed more for intimidation purposes than actual defense.

The multiple sensors enable the robot to navigate around the perimeter of a building to keep an eye on unusual activity. Video stream and alert information is then sent off to the company’s security department alerting them to threats and enabling them to take action.  According to CBS, one of the co-founders of KnightScope stated how this is done, “The robot is looking at the video, listening for glass breakage, any loud sound that breaking in would cause. We’ll get the license plate, picture of the vehicle, geotag location, and time.” CNET provides some great coverage in a video they created below:

Additionally, KnightScope did not disclose what specific companies have employed these robots in the Silicon Valley, however, they claim that around 4 dozen companies are on a waiting list to purchase a K5 robot.

I would be interested in getting one of these for my home and seeing if I might be able to reprogram it to run over intruders. At 300 pounds on wheels, who needs lasers?

What do you think of the robots? Do you think they will provide a more effective way to deter criminal behavior? Let us know in the comments below.