Indian robotics company Addverb Technologies is expanding into mobile security and inspection with Trakr, a four-legged autonomous robot designed to patrol industrial environments.
The move reflects the increasing overlap between industrial automation and physical security, as factories look for ways to detect anomalies more quickly and cover areas that fixed surveillance systems cannot reach.
Addverb, founded in 2016, is known for its autonomous mobile robots, automated storage systems and robotics software used across fast-moving consumer goods, retail, chemicals and electronics manufacturing. The launch of Trakr signals a broader strategy to offer mobile sensing alongside material-handling automation.
Integration with existing security systems
A key challenge for robotics in security is the ability to work within existing infrastructure rather than adding another parallel system.
Addverb says Trakr connects to a facility’s security ecosystem through socket-based communication and Bluetooth. This enables links with video management systems, access control platforms and alarm monitoring tools.
Through these connections, integrators can pull live RGB, depth or thermal video feeds from Trakr. They can also access temperature and gas readings, motion and patrol logs, and time-stamped anomaly reports. The company positions Trakr as a mobile endpoint for surveillance and environmental monitoring, providing data through interfaces already used by security operators.
Autonomous anomaly detection and alerting
Trakr is designed to identify a variety of operational and security anomalies while navigating pre-defined patrol paths. According to Addverb, the robot can detect thermal irregularities from overheating equipment, gas leaks, unauthorized human presence in restricted zones, signs of tampering, smoke, water accumulation and obstructions along its route.
When an anomaly is detected, the robot sends alerts through integrated security systems. Alerts can also be delivered through mobile and desktop notifications, email or SMS. Addverb says accompanying data, including images, short video clips and sensor logs, gives operators the information needed to assess whether immediate action is required.
The system is intended to complement fixed surveillance cameras by offering mobility in locations where static devices are limited by line-of-sight constraints or environmental challenges.
Performance in industrial environments
Addverb reports that Trakr has been tested in low-light conditions and in areas with dust, vibration and uneven surfaces. Its quadruped design allows it to move through confined spaces and over irregular flooring, which are common in older industrial sites.
The ability to traverse obstacles is positioned as an advantage over wheeled mobile robots or fixed cameras that cannot access the same routes.
The company says the robot delivers consistent patrol performance even in changing operational environments, making it suitable for factories that experience regular reconfiguration or movement of equipment.
Interoperability as a strategic focus
While Trakr targets security and inspection, Addverb’s broader automation portfolio is shaped by a focus on interoperability. In an interview with ASMAG.com, Chief Executive Officer Sangeet Kumar said the company’s engineering team has spent years developing integration layers to simplify deployments.
"Our robots interact through APIs. These are open standard APIs that we have developed over the years and very generic, so I do not have to change anything as far as different tasks," he said.
Addverb supports VDA 5050, a protocol developed in Europe to allow robots and fleet managers from different manufacturers to work together. Many factories now operate mixed fleets due to phased investments or multi-vendor purchasing strategies.
"There is a standard which is now universally accepted. With VDA 5050 we can connect with any software or fleet manager, and any make of robot can connect with ours," Kumar said.
At the operational technology level, Addverb uses OPC UA to integrate with programmable logic controllers and older equipment. For installations that require it, the company has also created connectors for PLCs from Siemens, Mitsubishi and Omron. This is intended to reduce engineering work in brownfield facilities where control systems may not have been updated for many years.
A base platform tailored by integrators
Addverb supplies what it describes as a base robotic platform. Integrators then customise payloads, sensors and application layers based on the needs of specific industries. This approach allows the same foundation to be used in electronics assembly, packaging, warehouses or inspection roles.
"We give the base platform, and then they build the customised structure required for that industry," Kumar said.
Quadrupeds can be fitted with alternative LiDAR units, thermal cameras or articulated inspection tools. Autonomous mobile robots can be adapted for welding, bolting or hazardous-area work. The model gives integrators a larger role in design and commissioning and accommodates facilities that do not follow standardized layouts.
Safety architecture built into hardware and software
Safety compliance is a major consideration in industrial robotics. Kumar said most Addverb robots use a safety PLC to manage emergency stop functions and monitor system performance. The company has also built its own safety-certified industrial PCs, which use Intel processors and include hardware redundancy.
"We have our own safety-certified industrial PC. The processors are safety certified and we safety certify the motherboard. It has internal redundancy so it does not hang," he said.
Addverb typically works within Performance Level b to e, with some customers requesting Safety Integrity Level 2 or 3. Robots can also be configured to reduce speed or stop entirely when a human approaches designated safety zones. Kumar said a robot moving at normal speed will slow significantly when a person approaches and will come to a stop if someone is too close.
Market expansion and future direction
Addverb’s customer base spans retail, e commerce, consumer goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and automotive. Kumar said the company is seeing increasing demand from the solar, battery and electronics sectors and is working to expand into semiconductor manufacturing after exhibiting at Semicon India.
Trakr is positioned as part of this expansion into more advanced inspection and monitoring tasks. Mobile robots capable of environmental sensing and autonomous navigation are becoming increasingly relevant as manufacturers seek continuous visibility across operations.
For integrators, Addverb’s emphasis on open interfaces, flexible platforms and safety-certified architectures may provide new opportunities to build workflows that combine automation and security. The addition of Trakr introduces a mobile sensing option that can extend coverage beyond fixed cameras and static sensors, especially in complex industrial environments.