Microsoft Corp Experiments With K5 Robotic Security Guards

[stormium]

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will make use of K5 security guard robots to beef up their Silicon Valley Campus security. The security guard robots stand about 5 feet tall and weigh 300 pounds. They will act more as advanced mobile monitoring units to help aid human security in the event that trouble is spotted. The robots were manufactured by Knightscope.

The K5 robots are not designed to apprehend or engage in combat. Instead, the androids are equipped with multiple technological features aimed at improving area coverage and surveillance.

The commissioning of the robots provides improved security and tracking within the Silicon Valley Campus. Each robot comes with an array of advanced features that include microphones, alarms, sirens, heat detectors, laser scanners, GPS and monitors. It also comes with a 360-degree surveillance camera that real time video monitoring of the area and fed to the central base

To give you an idea, each robot can reportedly read up to 300 car plates and keep track of faces it comes across. They can track other K5 robots on duty as well.

So in the event that trouble is spotted, the robot sounds off an alarm and/or alert human security to the area of concern. The robots can be of great help to humans as well. In the event a human would need help, the unit comes with a button at the head can be pressed down for assistance.

With regards to how long each robot can last, the units are good to run for up to 24 hours via single charge. It only takes just 20 minutes for each robot to recharge fully and return to the field. On concerns about each unit possibly drying out their batteries, each has been programmed to return to the charging station once their battery levels become low.

At the moment, Microsoft has four of these K5 robots present at their Silicon Valley Campus. More companies are said to be on the waiting list for these K5 robots that are expected to enhance area security.

source

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kinda figures that microsoft would employ daleks.

[Spud17]

They almost look cute and harmless - the complete opposite of what we see at boston dynamics - but coming equipped with surveillance sensors, odor detectors, scanners, and a thermal imaging system, I can't help wonder how long it'll be before they're carrying tasers, accoustic devices (ie. sonic weapons), malodorants, tear gas, and other NLWs.

[ddoking007]

They almost look cute and harmless - the complete opposite of what we see at boston dynamics - but coming equipped with surveillance sensors, odor detectors, scanners, and a thermal imaging system, I can't help wonder how long it'll be before they're carrying tasers, accoustic devices (ie. sonic weapons), malodorants, tear gas, and other NLWs.

I'm with you

[stormium]

at least this is a step away from the genetically engineered attack dogs they wanted a few years ago.

[Devin]

The charge lasts 24 hours and takes 20 minutes to recharge. Why the fuck can't my phone do that then? Anyway, I wonder how susceptible they are to hacking. It would be sorta fun to have your own personal robot. And the guys around that area are awfully good with computers.