May the robo-force be with you!
XPO Logistics has reported that the security robot programme which it launched at its Atlanta, Georgia site in October has reduced the number of incidents at the logistics facility to zero for the first six months.
The autonomous security robot, named C3-XPO, monitors the parking lot and exterior of the site 24 hours a day. (Fans of the Star Wars franchise will note that the robot’s name bears more than a passing resemblance to that of the celluloid droid, C-3PO).
In a statement issued today (3 April), XPO said that it contracted the robotics manufacturer Knightscope to “deploy a solution that provides a physical presence and interprets data in real time”.
“In addition to eliminating parking lot incidents,, said XPO, “C3-XPO has saved more than $125,000 in costs associated with six months of traditional security services.”
Troy Cooper, chief operating officer of XPO Logistics, said: “We’re taking the lead in integrating emerging technology throughout our business, including lesser-known areas such as security. By working with Knightscope to deploy C3-XPO, we’ve been able to achieve 100% external security at our Atlanta site, while delivering significant savings for our customer.”
C3-XPO has wide-ranging capabilities that protect personnel, vehicles and the physical facility. The weatherproof robot features 360-degree, high definition, low light cameras and two terabytes of storage to record and retrieve events. C3-XPO uses visual and audible alarms to deter potential criminals and can detect loitering cars or exterior fires with its thermal-imaging sensors.
In addition, C3-XPO uses people-detection technology and automatic license plate recognition to identify potential threats from humans or vehicles on the property. Employees can use the robot’s emergency call button to request help, and if needed, C3-XPO will direct employees to emergency evacuation routes.
Stacy Dean Stephens, vice president marketing and sales of Knightscope, said: “XPO is an ideal innovator for us to work with in bringing autonomous physical security solutions to their logistics operations.”
