Visitors to The Innovation Lab 2023 event being hosted at Manchester Central on 23 February by Carlisle Support Services will be able to see, ‘on patrol’, Spot – a four-legged ‘dog-like robot’, with live demonstrations explaining ‘how robot dogs can assist with surveillance and security operations, while improving safety and efficiencies’.
Manufactured by Boston Dynamics, a specialist in creating robots ‘with advanced mobility, dexterity and intelligence’, ‘Spot’ will be among the technological innovations shown by Marlowe Fire & Security, which supplies security solutions to commercial, public sector, and residential customers, throughout the UK. Described as a ‘ remarkably smart robot’, Spot can understand and navigate an environment independently. Marlowe Fire & Security said: “Using sophisticated sensors, AI, and machine learning, Spot can carry out autonomous missions, including sensing and inspecting sites, and capturing limitless, consistent data, allowing businesses to better monitor their assets, and make informed decisions, while also freeing up employees for value-added work.”
The company says Spot ‘provides enhanced support and improved efficiency of human patrol operations’ – performing perimeter patrols either independently, or supervised by a security team member, and can also be controlled remotely via a tablet. Machine learning capabilities enable the robot ‘to adapt to any terrain, and create a comprehensive map of its patrol area’. It can ‘effortlessly cruise’ over loose gravel, curbs, grass, stairs, rough terrain, while 360 degree perception allows it to avoid obstacles.
Marlow Fire & Security says it can also be deployed in hazardous situations ‘too dangerous, or too difficult, for human entry’, reducing risk, and enabling operators to safely assess suspected hazards from a safe distance. Designed with ‘hypersensitive’ sensors, Spot can also detect a range of potentially dangerous warning signs – including ‘hot spots’ on machines or electrical conductors, water and steam leaks, gas leaks, fire, radiation, vibration, and even noise anomaly detection, ‘to detect abnormal operating noises like ticking, grinding, or whirring’.
The company added: “By capturing frequent, high-quality data that can be integrated into an asset management system to detect anomalies, businesses can gain comprehensive site visibility, turn insights into action, and avoid any downtime.”
The Innovation Lab will ‘address key topics, and explore forthcoming trends, challenges, purposeful initiatives, and pioneering solutions’, within the security and FM sectors.
Carlisle Support Services says the event promises to deliver ‘a day of solution exploration, professional development, and networking, to assist businesses in overcoming today’s challenges, while providing a platform to take on tomorrow’s’.