Is technology really at a standstill? Wireless communications, touchscreens and even smaller, efficient devices have become our technological future, so it’s pretty hard for the average consumer to comprehend just how far tech can go.
But, according to those on the front lines, technology can go pretty far.
Take security technology, for instance. For a long time, people relied on video surveillance systems to help monitor activity around their homes or around business premises. In fact, they’re still used today around the world.
Even though such security tech has evolved to accommodate the modern world, it could always be better. And, that’s what Knightscope, Inc surmised, inspiring them to make movements in the security tech world.
A fully autonomous bot – the Knightscope K5
Enter the Knightscope K5, a fully autonomous sec robot ripped straight out of science fiction lore. The K5, the current beta prototype, is capable of predicting crimes that may happen in neighborhoods, in addition to private premises like those of a business or a school.
Knightscope, Inc, based in Mountain View, CA, has been developing the K5 since 2013, designed specifically to prevent future crimes from happening in a neighborhood, school or business setting. Much a security guard, when you think about it.
So, could the Knightscope K5 potentially replace security guards in the future? It was certainly designed for that, at least.
The bot stands 5 feet tall, weighing about 300 pounds, harboring a variety of sensors that are said to help the bot perform its crime-detecting abilities—such as thermal imaging sensors, air quality sensors and a laser range finder. It also includes a video camera and microphone, used for, well video and audio capture.
A bot for the future?
Although still in beta, the Knightscope K5 is expected to help security and law enforcement personnel better protect communities and reinforce public safety. Knightscope also hopes to have future models help reduce crime rates by at least 50 percent in geo-fenced areas.
Interestingly enough, some people are wary of the K5’s prospective place in the future of security tech. Should the K5 be deployed in public places across the United States, many detractors believe that the bot’s presence could compromise public security.
The K5 specifically records, track and even memorize public behaviors, which is what helps the bot determine what constitutes a crime in a public or private space. Those who don’t like the Knightscope K5 fear that the bot could eventually recognize many, if not all, human behaviors as a suspected ‘crime-related’ behavior.
Such worries are rather unfounded at the moment. The K5 has only been placed in very few places in Silicon Valley for test runs. It’ll be some time before the K5 and even other sec bots make it to the public.
