Microsoft turning to robots to provide security for Silicon Valley campus

Microsoft is turning to robots to provide security for its Silicon Valley campus, according to a news report.

The software giant had become one of the first companies to use an autonomous robot security guard - called K5 - to keep intruders from causing trouble on the campus, according to ExtremeTech, www.dailydigestnews.com reported.

K5, which is about the size of a human, weighed 300 pounds, comes equipped with cameras, sensors, and alarms, as also sophisticated artificial intelligence, which allowed the company to replace some human security patrols.

K5 would function to alert security against intruders or other unwanted visitors, and did not carry any kind of weaponry.

The robot was built by California company Knightscope and was described as an ''autonomous data machine'' that commanded authority yet also provided ''a friendly physical presence.''

The five-foot-tall container on wheels features four high-definition cameras facing in all directions, a camera capable of scanning licence plates, four microphones, blaring alarms, weather sensors, and even WiFi connectivity that allowed robots to contact headquarters if it encountered a situation. The robot's artificial intelligence allowed it to distinguish between a gathering nearby that posed no threat and someone attempting to enter through a window.

Knightscope had worked on the K5 robot for some time to ensure the camera was capable of separating intruders, www.chinatopix.com reported. The built-in alarm is capable of projecting loud sounds to deter the trespasser and inform any nearby authority.
Much like human security guards, the K5 robots too get tired after a time and need to charge up.

The K5 robot can go on for 24 hours without charge and lines up automatically at the charging station when batteries start to run dry - the charge only takes 20 minutes.

Robots are increasingly taking over low-paid jobs, which do not require creativity or a human tool set. Over the last 50 years this had mostly been seen in manufacturing, but robots today come for the rest of the low-paid jobs.

Microsoft will still use human security guards, but not as frequently. The robots will be able to patrol the campus in force, while the security guard only needs to get up if they hear the alarm or get a signal on the dashboard.

The South Korean government too, in a recent move deployed robot military to the Demilitarized Zone in 2010.