Cobalt Robotics introduces a security robot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensors. The robot is able to navigate autonomously and search for suspicious activity.

Cobalt Robotics' Indoor Security Robot

According to TechCrunch, on Wednesday, Mar. 1, Palo Alto-based Cobalt Robotics Inc. introduced a new line of indoor robot security guards. Co-founders of Cobalt Robotics Erik Schluntz and Travis Deyle are former SpaceX and GoogleX engineers. The autonomous mobile robots designed by the company use the same kind of technology found in a self-driving car in order to detect people and problems in a building.

Altogether, Cobalt's robo-guards pack 60 sensors, including depth sensors, ultrasound, lidar, as well as wide-angle day and night cameras. They also include two-way video chat screens and mics that allow human building managers or security guards to remotely interact with a person that the robot approaches. A person's badge can be checked by RFID scanners on board.

Autonomous Mobile Robot's Abilities

The robot has been designed to complement rather than to replace human security guards. According to tech experts, it is difficult to find a viable business case for a commercial mobile robot. The most that can be realistically expected from a reliable and affordable autonomous platform at this point is the ability to navigate in a semi-structured pre-mapped environment.

According to IEEE Spectrum, the autonomous mobile robot designed for indoor security applications could provide better security that people can do alone by working alongside human guards. Cobalt's robot is able to do all the basic tasks that human security guards can do.

The robot can navigate around pre-mapped areas in buildings, has a pile of sensors that helps it to recognize potential security issues and hazards, it can recognize people and read badges. While autonomy is important, in order to solve eventual problems the robot is having the option for a human in the loop.