Robots are becoming an integral part of security, especially since rising wages and lack of adequate manpower hinder safety efforts. Several companies have come up with surveillance robots and the latest to enter the market is the Japanese electronics giant Sharp Electronics.
Robots are becoming an integral part of security, especially since rising wages and lack of adequate manpower hinder safety efforts. Several companies have come up with surveillance robots and the latest to enter the market is the Japanese electronics giant Sharp Electronics.
Sharp recently introduced what it claims to be the only outdoor, ruggedized perimeter patrol mobile sensor platform for security, surveillance and maintenance patrol. Termed Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV, this robot is designed to watch over critical infrastructure, physical assets and people.
In an exclusive interview with asmag.com, Cliff Quiroga, VP & Deputy GM of Sharp Robotics Business Development (SRBD) at Sharp Electronics introduced the robot in detail, explaining the context in which it is expected to become popular.
“We are definitely at the crossroads of robotics meeting up with the ever-changing and highly demanding needs of the security industry,” said Quiroga. “The Sharp INTELLOS Automated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV), introduced to the United States’ marketplace in mid-September 2016, stands as the only outdoor, ruggedized perimeter patrol mobile sensor platform for security, surveillance and maintenance patrol. The Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV is designed to watch over critical infrastructure, physical assets and people. This autonomous robotic system fully integrates with other technologies and augments a skilled guard force to provide comprehensive, situational awareness.”
"The Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV is designed to watch over critical infrastructure, physical assets and people."
Cliff Quiroga, VP & Deputy GM, Sharp Robotics Business Development (SRBD), Sharp Electronics
Who are the customers?
Sharp believes the potential customers of its A-UGV share some common attributes. The robot can autonomously roam large expanses of outdoor property to detect intruders all hours of the day and night. Sites with inherent risks and safety concerns such as hazardous materials storage are ideal for it because they typically have exterior fencing, a clear patrol path and low, pedestrian (or vehicle) traffic.
“Key targets for Sharp include Data Centers, Petrochemicals & Mining, Airports & Rail Yards, Government Facilities, Distribution & Storage, Manufacturing, Power & Utilities, Pharmaceutical,” Quiroga said.
Such customers may come from cities and suburbs. Quiroga suggested that Sharp’s “right fit” customers often come from rural, and isolated areas.
What’s expected to drive demand?
According to Quiroga, the factors that could drive demand are three points that make the robot efficient. They are, processing power - we no longer need high-cost custom-made chips to operate robots -, cost and market being ready for new technologies.
Going forward, the company expects the robot to be not just effective in private spaces, but also in the public where people are omnipresent.
“This shift will begin in controlled environments that require minimal legislative reform,” Quiroga said. “If we extend the security capabilities in this way, we could see the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV helping in disaster relief situations carrying equipment or transporting people. Their role would be assistive and specialized as to be predictive to human co-workers.”
Asmag opinion
We see robots being given an increasingly important role in the security industry. However, so far, most companies that have come up with autonomous machines have limited their operation to indoor environments (
an exception to this is SMP Robotics). In this context, Sharp’s offering does stand out from the rest of the products to some extent.
As for the company’s plans to take the robot to work alongside people, we can only say that any such robot will be under close scrutiny after the Knightscope robot recently ran over a toddler in a mall. Quiroga has said Sharp prioritizes safety and has many inbuilt features including LIDAR to reduce risk of collision during unattended patrol. If they are as efficient as the company claims to be, we have a strong contender to increase competition.