In the ever-growing field of security services, where companies are faced with a shortage of skilled workers, some are turning to robots to fill the gap. ADT’s commercial arm, led by technology executive Ed Bacco, is exploring the use of androids to combat the ongoing talent battle and high turnover rates in the industry. The Security Industry Association has long recognized the worker shortage as a limiting factor in the sector’s growth, with the UK expecting a shortfall of over 60,000 security officers this year. To address this issue, ADT Commercial has partnered with robotics company 1X to trial 10 humanoid robots at its monitoring center and customer locations. One robot is stationed at ADT’s Dallas monitoring center, where it monitors premises for signs of intrusion or disturbance and alerts a human guard equipped with a virtual reality headset if an irregularity is detected. The robots can be remotely operated from various locations, adding to the versatility and efficiency of the system, according to 1X CEO Bernt Øivind Børnich. 1X recently raised $23.5mn in funding, valuing the company at just over $200mn. Another firm, Knightscope, is also making strides in the security robot space. The Silicon Valley-based company, founded in 2013, has developed robots equipped with features such as weapon and gunshot detection, facial recognition, and physical deterrence. Knightscope robots are deployed in a range of locations, including Santa Rosa Mall in Puerto Rico, Coppertree Village in Houston, and various US sites for security groups Allied Universal and Securitas. Ava Robotics, a spinoff of iRobot, known for its Roomba vacuum cleaner, has partnered with Johnson Controls to bring its security robot to market. These robots can perform repetitive tasks that address labor shortages and enable experts to remotely access spaces, according to Ava Robotics CEO Youssef Saleh. Although the technology is still evolving, Steve Jones, CEO of Allied Universal, believes it will continue to advance in the coming years. However, GardaWorld’s CEO Stephan Crétier remains skeptical about robots replacing human guards in the immediate future. Despite the uncertainty, investment in robotics and drone companies focused on security has been steadily increasing, reaching $814mn in 2019, up from $434mn in 2018. Start-up Ascento’s CEO Alessandro Morra sees potential for security robots to take on tasks like monitoring car parks and generating reports. These robots can be programmed to autonomously perform routine checks and provide real-time information to human guards. While technology can undoubtedly enhance security efforts, Morra believes it will work in tandem with human labor rather than replacing it entirely, leading to a significant transformation in the industry.
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