Sweden-based lock and security giant Assa Abloy, which owns several brands including Kwikset, Level Lock and the non-U.S. version of Yale, has partnered with robotics giant Boston Dynamics to develop a new digital door access system.
The partnership will allow Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot dogs to autonomously enter secure areas. The two companies aim to make it easier for the robot dogs used for security purposes to patrol both inside and outside buildings without obstacles.
Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot is equipped with digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Assa Abloy’s HID-branded Signo readers, allowing the robots to easily pass through automatic doors—without the need for a paw to touch the door panels.
Some companies, such as Asylon Robotics, have developed systems that provide access to secure areas using a special version of Spot, the “DroneDog,” seen at the Atlanta Falcons Stadium. However, Assa Abloy’s presence in one of the world’s largest door access system installation bases could accelerate developments in this area. A close partnership with Boston Dynamics suggests that the proliferation of robot patrol guards will happen faster than expected.
Assa Abloy and Boston Dynamics could usher in a new era
Assa Abloy’s wide-reaching network and Boston Dynamics’ high-tech robots are opening the door to a new era in the security sector. Especially in large facilities, patrol robots can monitor secure areas without human intervention, which can both increase efficiency and reduce costs. Such developments can lead to robots taking on a more active role in the security field.
On the other hand, this collaboration may not be limited to door access. With this partnership, the two companies are expected to take robot security systems even further and produce next-generation security solutions. It is anticipated that these systems, where robot dogs work in the field, will find a place in different industries in the future.