Security robots are semi-autonomous, autonomous, or fully controlled robots that assist humans in performing security tasks. As a sub-segment of the robotics industry, security robots are designed to meet practical needs in production and daily life, addressing safety hazards, conducting patrols and monitoring, and providing disaster warnings. This helps reduce the occurrence of accidents and minimize loss of life and property.
I. The History of Robot Development and the Emergence of Security Robots
In 1920, Czechoslovakian writer Karel Čapek coined the term "robot" in his science fiction novel.
In 1968, the Stanford Research Institute in the United States announced that they had successfully developed Shakey, the world's first intelligent robot.
In 1973, the world's first collaboration between a robot and a minicomputer resulted in the creation of the American robot T3.
In 2002, the American company iRobot launched the Roomba vacuum cleaner robot, which can avoid obstacles, automatically design its route, and automatically recharge when the battery is low.
In 2011, China Security Technology Co., Ltd. (CSST) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong took the lead in proposing the "dynamic and static combination" security concept in China and cooperated in the research of security robot technology.
International research on security robots began between 1991 and 1994, and accelerated after 2011. Currently, the field possesses enormous innovation potential, with Knightscope and Cobalt Robotics being typical examples of leading international companies in this area. Japan, a leader in robotics technology, has also filed numerous international patents in this field. Industry insiders predict that the international security robot market is likely to be largely dominated, or even monopolized, by Japanese companies. However, from a market perspective, foreign companies do not yet have plans for large-scale entry into the Chinese security robot market.
Domestically, China's first security robot appeared in 2015, developed by Zhongzhi Kechuang Robotics. This robot integrates high-definition cameras, infrared thermal imaging, visual laser navigation, environmental sensors, and warning lights, possessing advanced autonomous navigation technology, autonomous task execution, 24-hour all-around audio and video monitoring, and automatic alarms for abnormal situations. Statistics show that one security patrol robot can replace 2.4 security personnel in patrol duties. Furthermore, with the support of artificial intelligence technology, facial recognition, voice interaction, and other AI technologies have enriched the functions and application scenarios of security robots, potentially making them powerful assistants for pre-event warnings, in-event alarms, and post-event response, thus benefiting urban public safety.
The exploration of security robots is also accelerating. In the first half of 2018 alone, the security robot industry saw the emergence of many new products: On February 7, 20 robot police officers appeared at Shenzhen North Railway Station to assist in the Spring Festival travel rush security; on May 22, Haier subsidiary Kelude Robotics released five new robot products, one of which was a security robot; on July 6, JD.com's second-generation inspection robot was officially put into use at "Asia No. 1" in Beijing; in early July, DeepBlue Technology launched a security robot that can catch thieves, the "WALL-E Patrol Robot"; in addition, Shenyang Luxi Robotics' security inspection robot was also launched on October 1.
Although the security robot market is still in its early stages of development, according to data compiled by Zhidx, there are already 15 mainstream companies in China that have entered the market. In terms of application scenarios, there are distinctions between indoor and outdoor applications, and in terms of product form, there are two basic types: wheeled and tracked.
II. Classification of Security Robots
Currently, robots in the security industry are mainly divided into the following categories:
Surveillance robots: Currently, surveillance robots have penetrated into ordinary households. They can move around the house and are flexible, intelligent, and user-friendly. They can also integrate more functions to provide more comprehensive security monitoring services for ordinary households. At the same time, surveillance robots are also widely used in industrial, corporate, internet cafe, and supermarket patrols, blind spot monitoring, power, communication, power environment monitoring, chemical remote control and other places.
Intelligent inspection robots: These robots primarily carry detection devices such as infrared thermal imagers and visible light cameras, enabling them to transmit images and data to remote monitoring systems. By adding features to detect potential safety hazards and early signs of malfunctions during operation, the robots can automatically identify and trigger alarms. Due to their unique advantages over human operators in environmental adaptability and powerful performance, intelligent inspection robots are increasingly being used in special locations such as security inspections, power line inspections, and railway inspections, making inspection work in these areas easier and safer.
Reconnaissance robots: Reconnaissance robots are mainly used for detecting and identifying enemy targets. By installing control devices, they can transmit text, images and voice information in real time in various terrains such as mountains and steep slopes, and have intelligent and agile "skills".
Bomb disposal robots: Generally divided into large and small bomb disposal robots, these are operational robots that can move automatically via remote control and are equipped with robotic arms to perform various bomb disposal tasks. They replace humans in approaching suspicious objects to identify, transfer, and destroy explosives. They can be controlled via wired and wireless means and have the ability to overcome certain obstacles.
Armed strike robots: Armed strike robots generally have functions such as monitoring, reconnaissance, and bullet strike, and are mainly used in counter-terrorism operations.
