Security Robots vs Security Guards

Abstract

This study shows some of the features of security robots and determines the advantages and the usefulness of security robots. The purpose of this study is to prove that security robots are as effective as – or can be more effective than – humans in terms of surveillance; to analyze the efficiency and the effectiveness of the security robots and to show that they can sustain some security needs that some human security guards fail to provide. This study shows that some weaknesses of the security guards can be resolved through the security robots. One of the possible advantages of the security robots that is shown in this study is that security robots can work 24/7, they are never late, they can minimize the act of bribery and even record it, and they can minimize the possibility of risking humans' lives. This study shows that security robots are the safer choice to perform dangerous tasks in hazardous conditions, and that they are more reliable in terms of surveillance, but leaves the actions to the human security guards.

Full text

Abstract – This study shows some of the features of
security robots and determines the advantages and the
usefulness of security robots. The purpose of this study is
to prove that security robots are as effective as – or can
be more effective than – humans in terms of surveillance;
to analyze the efficiency and the effectiveness of the
security robots and to show that they can sustain some
security needs that some human security guards fail to
provide. This study shows that some weaknesses of the
security guards can be resolved through the security
robots. One of the possible advantages of the security
robots that is shown in this study is that security robots
can work 24/7, they are never late, they can minimize the
act of bribery and even record it, and they can minimize
the possibility of risking humans’ lives. This study shows
that security robots are the safer choice to perform
dangerous tasks in hazardous conditions, and that they
are more reliable in terms of surveillance, but leaves the
actions to the human security guards.
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, the advances of technology are
taking over. And as the technology grows, so does the
robot population. With all these innovation, there is no
doubt that in the near future, the robots will become
essential to our lives. The recent trend now is the
autonomous security robots. Autonomous security
robots are intelligent machines that can perform tasks
and move on their own without being controlled by a
human. There are already several companies that
produce and lease security robots.
There are also different brands, but almost of
them have the same features; their physical
appearances being the only difference. There are
robots that just look simple (figure 1), and there are also
ones that look like the R2-D2 from Star Wars (figure 2)
with its bullet shape. They have already been tried and
tested in parking lots, malls, and business properties.
[1]
Security Robots vs. Security Guards
Can security robots replace security guards?
Fig. 1 SAM Security Robot
Fig. 2 Knightscope Security Robots
Ma. Fevy C. Espinas
School of Computer Science and Technology
Asia Pacific College
Makati City, Philippines
mafevyespinas@gmail.com
Kaila Mae G. Roguel
School of Computer Science and Technology
Asia Pacific College
Makati City, Philippines
kgroguel@gmail.com
Martha Angela A. Salamat
School of Computer Science and Technology
Asia Pacific College
Makati City, Philippines
salamat.martha@gmail.com
Shania Soleil G. Reyes
School of Computer Science and Technology
Asia Pacific College
Makati City, Philippines
shaniasoleil08@gmail.com

Some of the common features of the
Knightscope’s security robots are (1) autonomous
motion that lets them move and roam around a geo-
fenced area (virtual barrier) by themselves – usually
created by using a mapping software – with the help
GPS and a laser-ranging instrument. [9] Another feature
is their (2) 360-degree vision. They have 4 high-
definition cameras on each side of their body for an
all-around vision; meaning, they capture everything
around them. There is also another camera that can
scan and recognize license plates. They don’t just
record activities, but they also alert the security
personnel for any suspicious actions. [8] (3)
Intercommunication is another feature they have. They
do not only act as observers, but the robots also allow
people to call for help by pressing a button on their
body. They also have microphones that records noise.
The normal range is up to 90 decibels only, but if the
noise reaches 100 decibels and above, it will notify the
security personnel. [2] There is also a (4) real-time-alert
feature which means that they are able to gather data
on-the-spot through their multiple sensors. [3] These
data could also be viewed by the authorized personnel
via wireless network. [6] And if ever someone tries to
do damage to the robots, it will notify the authorities
with its piercing alarm and flashing lights. The
security robots are made to detect and analyze a
situation to determine when or if to alert the security
personnel. [9]
II. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Ever since then, surveillance cameras and security
guards have been the ones keeping people and
establishments safe and secured but there can be a few
drawbacks to them:
 Cost (equipment, salary/wages). Hiring
security guards can sometimes be costly.
Aside from their salaries, installing
surveillance cameras that can cover
everything and every corner can also be
pricey. [4]
 Tardiness. Security guards tend to be late for
work, which sometimes could be a
burden/hassle for the guards who need to
cover for them.
 Laziness. They tend to slack on their jobs and
do their work half-heartedly.
 Bribery. Money is powerful especially these
days, so it is no surprise if some security
officers take bribes so they could be off the
hook. [5]
 Surveillance. Even if they are watching,
there are still chances that they miss some
suspicious actions.
 Risks. There could be instances that the
security officers’ lives might be put at stake
and that should be prevented. [6]
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
These are the several issues in our security that
needs to be further sustained because those issues can
cost people a lot of money and time, and the security
robots just might be the solution.
 Cost As mentioned before and as shown
on fig. 3, hiring security guards can be costly.
However, leasing a security robot and hiring
only few guards are much cheaper than hiring
Problem
Security Robot
Security Guard
Cost
The lease for robots is ranging
from $6 to $10 per hour
The security
guards’ salary is
from $13 and
above per hour
Tardiness
Never
Sometimes
Laziness
They do what they are asked to do
They tend to feel
lazy at times
Bribery
They are incorruptible; therefore,
they cannot accept any bribe.
Although not
everyone and
every time, they
could still be
bribed
Surveillance
They have 360-degree vision
which lessens the possibilities of
missing suspicious actions
They do not
always see
everything going
on around them
even with the help
of surveillance
cameras.
Risks
They could face a dangerous
situation and not get hurt/any
injuries
They could get
hurt in the midst
of trouble
Fig. 3 shows the differences between robots and
humans in different aspects

many security staff for just one establishment
because the lease for robots are ranging from
$6 to $10 while a security guard’s salary is
from $13 and above. [7]
 Tardiness.
Security robots are never late for
their jobs. In fact, they can work 24/7 since
they have the ability to charge autonomously.
 Laziness.
The robots do what they are
programmed to do. They do not stop doing
their work until you turn them off.
 Bribery.
The robots will not totally stop
bribery as there are still human security
guards that are involved to do the strategic
work, but they could record it and minimize
the act of bribery. [2]
 Surveillance.
Security robots has 4 HD cameras
which captures the surroundings in 360
degrees which sure beats installing multiple
surveillance cameras in one area. [6]
 Risks. Robots can prevent human from
risking their lives whenever there is a
dangerous or hazardous situation. [6]
IV. CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
This research shows that surveillance cameras and
security guards are not enough to satisfy the need for
security. Security guards have several weaknesses that
could possibly put people in danger; but these
weakness could be minimized by security robots.
In the results and discussion, it states that
hiring multiple security guards can be costly.
However, the group thinks that renting a security robot
can be more cost-efficient because it is cheaper than a
human security guard with the leasing price of $6 up
to $10 per hour that does a greater quality of service,
which beats the cost of hiring multiple security guards
that receives $13 and above per hour.
Another problem with the security guards is
that some staffs tend to be tardy that could be a hassle
for those who have to cover for their shift and some
tend to feel bored from their job and doze off. The
security robots on the other hand, can never be late for
their work and they cannot and do not feel laziness.
The group also recommend to get few of the robots, so
that whenever one needs charging, the backup robots
can do the work instead.
It also states that bribery is another issue with
the security today, but the group thinks that the
security robots can cut down the act of bribery a little.
Robots will not really stop bribery because the human
security guards are still needed for the work, and they
definitely won’t stop officers from taking bribes, but
the robots can record the act of bribery, so that other
authorities can see it.
Surveillance is another issue with the security
today. The surveillance cameras had been
implemented in almost every establishment until now,
but they are not enough because sometimes there could
be blind spots and installing multiple cameras would
just cost more. Therefore, the security robots could be
the solution because they roam around an area with
their 4 HD cameras that gives a 360-degree view of the
surroundings.
It also states in the study that a robot can
lessen the chances of risking humans’ lives. Instead of
the guards walking up straight to a dangerous
situation, the robots can do it for them instead and give
them the real-time record of the situation, so that they
could come up with their strategies.
There are jobs that a robot can do and a
human cannot do, but there are also tasks that a human
can do and a robot cannot do; meaning they
complement each other. It is more cost-efficient to rent
a robot than to hire multiple security guards for one
establishment. The security robots will not really
replace and take the jobs of people. A human’s skills
would still be required for work to be done because the
robots are not programmed and designed to catch and
interrogate suspects. Instead, they will be an aide to
humans; an aide that will make their jobs easier and an
aide that will help provide the security that is needed
for the safety of the people. The robots are more
reliable in terms of surveillance which can be useful to
big facilities or establishments. They will be the eyes
of the guards whenever they are unable to watch or
cover certain areas.

Therefore, the researchers recommend the
security robots to be used in some establishments such
as malls, parking lots, and schools or campuses so that
catching suspicious actions will be much easier for the
security guards.
REFERENCES
[1] Buhr, Sarah. “Meet Knightscope’s Crime-fighting
Robots”. 31 December 2015.
(https://www.vs.inf.ethz.ch/edu/FS2014/UCS/reports/Thom
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[2] Brandon, John. “5 Uses for the Surveillance Robot of
Tomorrow”. CIO. 13 August 2014.
(http://www.cio.com/article/2463903/robotics/5-uses-for-
the-surveillance-robot-of-tomorrow.html)
[3] Knightscope, “Advanced Physical Security Technology”
(http://knightscope.com/)
[4] WHEREISMYROBOT “What’s a security robot got, that
my camera doesn’t?” Wordpress.
(https://whereismyrobot.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/whats-
a-security-robot-got-that-my-camera-doesnt/)
[5] Wollacott, Mark. “The Advantages of a Robot Security
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(http://www.ehow.com/info_8126601_advantages-robot-
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[6] Metz, Rachel. “Rise of the Security Robots”.
13 November 2014.
(https://www.technologyreview.com/s/532431/rise-of-the-
robot-security-guards/)
[7] Li, Shan. “Robots are becoming security guards”. 02
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robots-retail-20160823-snap-story.html)
[8] Robinson, James. “Knightscope’s new robotic law
enforcer is like staring at the demise of humanity”. Pando.
24 February 2014.
(https://pando.com/2014/02/24/knightscopes-new-robotic-
law-enforcer-is-like-staring-at-the-demise-of-humanity/)
[9] “Knightscope”. Wikipedia.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightscope)
[10] Anthony, Sebastian. “Here come the autonomous robot
security guards: What could possibly go wrong?” 17
November 2014. Extreme Tech.
(http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/194338-here-come-
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possibly-go-wrong)