Will Technology Eliminate Human Security Guards?

Over the past decade or so we have begun to see more technologies that remove the need for human involvement from what have traditionally been human activities.  Earlier this year The Economist wrote an article titled “The Future Of Jobs: The Onrushing Wave“.  The article focused on the role that technological innovation plays in eliminating jobs and on its effect on long-term employment.  Reading the article made me question whether or not technological innovation can replace human security guards.

In a separate study by Dr. Carl Frey of the University of Oxford, Dr. Frey predicted that work automation resulting from the use of robots would put up to 47% of existing US jobs at “high risk”.  The chart below is based on information from The Economist article and outlines jobs that are likely to be replaced.  Telemarketers beware…

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Courtesy of Business Insider

Although other researchers disagree with Dr. Fey’s predictions, there are examples everywhere of what an automated and/or robotic future could look like.  As an example Kuka, a robotics firm in Germany, is testing an unmanned TV camera that promises smooth shake free camera panning for live broadcasts.  In a much creepier example, Kokoro of Japan, has introduced humanoid robots that it believes can replace human receptionists in offices.

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Kokoro’s robotic receptionist

Although security guards are not on the list above, it won’t be long before we see the first robotic security guards…oh wait that’s already happening.

Human Security Guards vs Robots

If you have been in the security industry for any length of time you know that there are many challenges that both security guard companies and their officers face.  Is it possible that robots could help address issues like lack of training, high turnover, and low wages?  Here are three examples of technologies that could one day replace human security guards.

human-security-guards-bobBob, is the first robotic security guard in the United Kingdom.  Bob patrols the headquarters of G4S (the world’s largest provider of human security guards) in Gloucestershire and is part of a $12.2 million pilot project for the University of Birmingham.  The goal of the university’s project is to place robots in offices all over the globe.

Bob uses an array of cameras and scanners to map the environment that it patrols.  By doing so the robot can plot the location of desks and chairs, as well as detect people moving in the space around it.  By using that map the robot can determine if something has changed in its environment since its last patrol.  In those instances where Bob finds something out of place, it is capable of storing that information on an internal hard drive and alerting a human security guard.  Bob is even capable of interacting with people who it encounters on its patrols which includes saying hello and even asking for help when it gets stuck.

human-security-guards-vigilantThe Vigilant Mobile Camera Platform (MCP) is another example of a mobile robotic security guard.  The Vigilant MCP was developed by Dr. Louise Gunderson and Dr. Jim Gunderson of Gamma 2 Robotics.

According to the company’s website, their robot fulfills three high-level needs that a security guard company would have for such a robot.  Those requirements are affordability,  autonomy, and reliability.

In terms of the robots affordability, the website states that by incorporating off-the-shelf technology, break-even usually occurs in about one year.  They believe that their robot’s autonomy is what differentiates their robot from any other.  Once the robot is installed, they say that it instantly becomes an active and contributing team member.  Lastly, Gamma 2 Robotics also says that the Vigilant MCP is reliable enough to work 10-16 hours per day providing a minimum of 3600 hours of security annually.  Pretty impressive numbers…

human-security-guards-jrLast on our list of possible contenders to replace human security guards is Junior.  Junior is a small robot that is being developed by Roambotics, Inc.  Currently Junior is still in development and geared toward the home security market, but I can see it’s use in commercial applications as well.

Although Junior is not currently available for purchase, I thought it deserved a mention.  If and when Junior is released to the general public, it will come with audio sensors and integrated cameras that will provide 360-degree vision.  Junior will also be able to connect to other devices using blue tooth.

Like Bob,  Junior will be able to learn to adapt to its surroundings using its onboard sensors and by mapping the environment that it functions in.  According to Roambotics CEO and Co-founder Scott Mentor, “…our software uses machine learning to get smarter over time…”

Conclusion

Although I do put value in the predictions of experts like Dr. Frey, I don’t see technology totally replacing human security guards anytime soon.  Even a spokesperson for G4S stated that “Bob is not about replacing our security officers; the security officers are at the point of use.”  But what I do believe is that these technologies will become force multipliers for human security guards.  These technologies will allow security guard companies the ability to do more with fewer human security guards.  So rather than having 3 – 4 security guards working a shift, companies may be able to reduce that number to 1 guard and maybe 1 – 2 robots.  In addition to being great tools for human security guards, using these technologies should also allow security guard companies to reduce turnover, increase wages, and even increase profit margins.

Would you replace your human security guards with robots? Do you see these technologies as a threat or an opportunity for your company?  Please leave your comments below, we would love to hear your opinion.

 

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By Courtney Sparkman

 

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