Indoor Robotics - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the 2024 winners of the SIA New Products and Solutions (NPS) Awards, the flagship awards program presented in partnership with ISC West recognizing innovative security products, services, and solutions. Top among the winners, who were recognized on April 10 during an award ceremony on the Bridge Stage on the ISC West show floor, was IronYun, receiving the 2024 Best New Product Award. SIA NPS Since its inception in 1979, SIA NPS has been the security industry’s premier product awards program. New products are reviewed by a panel of judges with extensive industry experience, and in 2024, following significant deliberations, the 31 judges presented awards for technologies covering 30 product and service categories. The 2024 SIA NPS Awards entries will be on display April 9-12 in Booth #25075 on the ISC West show floor, adjacent to the Bridge Stage (Booth #25059). Best New Product Award IronYun received the Best New Product honor for its IronYun Vaidio AI Vision Platform 8.0 product, submitted in the Managed Services category. “Managed service providers are constantly looking for solutions that will improve operational efficiency and effectiveness,” said IronYun, adding “Vaidio 8.0 is purpose-built for service providers with a Kubernetes and Microservices-based architecture that virtualizes analytics functions and enables scalable, easy to manage, public- or private-cloud and subscription-based video analytics-as-a-service.” Judges’ Choice Award The prestigious Judges’ Choice Award was presented to Swear for the Swear Authenticity Engine product, submitted in the Software category. “Swear ensures an unbreakable chain of custody for digital media, offering real-time, permanent protection of content authenticity through patented technology and immutable blockchain security,” said Swear, adding “The Swear platform is flexible and designed to integrate with diverse infrastructures.” Outstanding new products and solutions “This year’s SIA NPS Awards featured an outstanding array of new products and solutions in the security industry, and the judges were impressed by the 2024 pool of entrants,” said Josh Heisler, Chair of the SIA NPS Awards Committee and global head of tech and tools at Amazon. Josh Heisler continues, “Following an extensive process of technology demonstrations and panel-driven judging, we were honored to select the 2024 awardees, and we congratulate all the winners. Thank you to our expert judges for your support and dedication and for lending your valuable time and expertise to help make the 2024 SIA NPS program a success.” NPS Merit Award Additionally, Chris Grniet received the NPS Merit Award, which recognizes an individual or company who, through their support of the SIA NPS Awards, demonstrates a commitment to the vision and mission of the program, contributes to its success and promotes the advancement of SIA and the security industry overall. “The SIA NPS Program is the most recognized global platform for launching new products each year. SIA applauds the 2024 SIA NPS Awards honorees of this year’s highly competitive program,” said SIA CEO, Don Erickson. Earning recognition Don Erickson adds, “Thanks to the always-thorough consideration of the judges, the SIA NPS Awards is the most trusted awards program for new security technologies, and earning recognition in the NPS awards is a major accomplishment." He continues, "We congratulate all this year’s award winners, and especially IronYun and Swear, whose offerings stood out among the pool of entrants to earn the Best New Product and Judges’ Choice distinctions, as well as SIA NPS Merit Award winner Chris Grniet.” 2024 SIA NPS category award winners Access Control Devices & Peripherals Hardware – Wireless Winner: CyberLock – CyberLock NFC Padlock Access Control Software, Hardware, Devices & Peripherals – Wired Winner: Centrios – Centrios, an Access Control Platform for Small Business Antiterrorism/Force Protection/Armed Aggressor Winner: Hercules High Security – METIS Biometrics Winner: ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions – Control iD iDFace Honorable Mention: Intel – Intel RealSense ID for Facial Authentication F455 Commercial Monitoring Solutions Winner: Evolon – Evolon Insites Communications and Networking Solutions Winner: Commend Americas – Trusted Voice Technology Convergence and Integration Solutions Winner: Technova Industries – DataStorm One Data and Systems Cybersecurity Winner: LMN Software – EdgeSentry Drone & Robot Solutions for Security Winner: Indoor Robotics – Control Bridge Emergency and Mass Communication Systems Winner: Telecor – ePanic Environmental Monitoring Systems Winner: IPVideo – HALO Amplify Hosted Solutions Winner: Bosch Security and Safety Systems – Bosch IQsight Data Fusion Identification Management and Credentialing (Nonbiometric) Winner: Wavelynx and SwiftConnect – Corporate Badge in Google Wallet and Company ID in Samsung Wallet Intrusion Detection and Prevention Solutions (Physical) – Wired or Wireless Winner: Sintela – Onyx Nano Key/Equipment Assets Management Solutions Winner: CyberLock – CyberBox Law Enforcement/Public Safety/Guarding Systems Winner: Dotworkz – B.A.S.H. Pro Lock and Key Solutions Winner: dormakaba – Axessor Apexx IP Safe Lock Managed Services Winner: IronYun – IronYun Vaidio AI Vision Platform 8.0 Mobile Solutions Winner: Motorola Solutions – Avigilon Alta Aware App (for iPad, Version 3.5) Threat/Risk Management Software Applications Winner: Pendulum – RiskWand by Pendulum Honorable Mention: Alert Enterprise – SOC Insights & Response Threat Detection and Response Solutions Winner: Axis Communications – AXIS D2210-VE Radar Video Analytics Winner: Intel – Intel Geti Computer Vision Software Video Surveillance Advanced Imaging Technologies Winner: Visidon – Visidon Video Noise Reduction for Real-Time Low-Light Enhancement Video Surveillance Cameras Winner: Axis Communications – AXIS W110 Body Worn Camera Honorable Mention: Axis Communications – AXIS Q9307-LV Dome Camera Video Surveillance Hardware and Accessories Winner: PTZsled.com – PTZsled.com Honorable Mention: Dotworkz – V.I.Block D2 Camera Housing Video Surveillance Management Systems Winner: Eagle Eye Networks – Eagle Eye Camera Direct

ADT Commercial, a security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire, and life safety services in the U.S., announced at ISC West 2023 that it has completed its first pilot sale for its EvoGuard brand of autonomous intelligent guarding solutions. Tando autonomous indoor drones The company recently sold the Tando autonomous indoor drones to its existing pilot partner, luxury Swiss watchmaker - Movado to continue field-testing the solution in their distribution center. “This is a huge milestone in the launch of our EvoGuard brand and a moment for ADT Commercial as a trusted commercial integrator entering the guarding market,” said Ed Bacco, Vice President, Emerging Technologies for ADT Commercial, adding “We’ve long seen the value in intelligent autonomous solutions and the impact they can have on the future of guarding." Indoor drones Movado has been testing the indoor drones to serve as a supplemental physical security measure "With a landscape that’s vastly changed over the last several decades with higher turnover, increasing labor costs, and a diminishing talent pool we knew we had to explore a way forward through technology. It’s incredible to see customers getting the chance to witness that value for themselves.” Movado has been testing the indoor drones at the group’s distribution center in Moonachie, New Jersey, since June 2022. It’s been actively field-testing the technology in collaboration with ADT Commercial and Israel-based Indoor Robotics to serve as a supplemental physical security measure for overnight and weekend coverage. Innovative solution With the purchase of the autonomous indoor drone, Movado anticipates enhancing its guarding program and operational security strategy to better utilize technology and streamline labor costs. “In planning for the future of our corporate security program at Movado, we feel that true innovation is a must. You have to be on the cutting edge and always looking forward,” said John Holubowicz, Director of Loss Prevention for the Movado Group. 24/7 surveillance The goal of the Tando autonomous indoor drone is to function as an additional layer of 24/7 surveillance “That’s why it’s been amazing to collaborate with ADT Commercial and Indoor Robotics in piloting a solution that we feel signals the next generation in guarding.” With anticipated commercialization targeted as part of the EvoGuard portfolio, the goal of the Tando autonomous indoor drone is to function as an additional layer of 24/7 surveillance to patrol commercial facilities. Features  Primary features in development, currently being piloted by Movado and others, include:  Ability to program a destination or set an autonomous patrol route at routine intervals.  Option to program alerts to trigger investigatory flights and interact with security incidents in virtually real-time.  Always-on video feed to provide more comprehensive surveillance coverage whether in flight or monitoring from a docking station.  People detection capabilities and object-avoidance analytics.  Future ability to carry a variety of sensors, such as infrared video or radio-wave detection that can be integrated into other security and facilities management systems to help alert and respond to potential hazards. Intuitive user interface with indoor-only capabilities, so users do not need to be experienced drone pilots or certified by the FAA to manage a drone fleet or conduct patrols.  EvoGuard “We view EvoGuard as a cost-effective means of enhancing our guarding coverage during critical after-hour periods and limiting human exposure to potentially dangerous situations. We’re proud to be an early adopter of the technology and to continue working with the teams on this,” Holubowicz said. ADT Commercial is currently seeking additional pilot partners for the EvoGuard suite of intelligent autonomous guarding solutions, which currently includes both the Tando autonomous indoor drones and humanoid robots by 1X Technologies (formerly Halodi Robotics). Learn more at ISC West at booth 20007.

Security applications for drones have evolved to provide benefits such as bird's-eye views of large areas, easy access to remote locations, and rapid deployment. However, to date, most drone applications have been outdoors. Not for long. Today, indoor drones are also finding unique opportunities for enhanced surveillance, security, and operational efficiency in indoor environments such as offices, warehouses, self-storage facilities, and malls. Indoor drones can navigate complex indoor spaces, providing real-time data and monitoring without the limitations of fixed cameras. New era of autonomous robotics A significant advantage of using drones indoors, as opposed to outdoors, is their ability to operate fully autonomously, circumventing U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that restrict such autonomy in outdoor environments. A new era of autonomous robotics enables drones to work seamlessly for users without the need for specialized flight training. A single security manager can oversee multiple indoor drones simultaneously with simple map clicks or prompts. A new era of autonomous robotics enables drones to work seamlessly for users Indoor monitoring and inspection Indoor Robotics is a company seeking to revolutionize indoor monitoring and inspection through its Control Bridge platform guiding indoor drones. Since its founding in 2018, Indoor Robotics has evolved through years of market engagement and product development. After initially recognizing a demand for autonomous indoor monitoring, the company found that existing hardware fell short. “However, we understood the challenges of full autonomy and knew we would solve it using drones,” says Bar Biton, Marketing Manager of Indoor Robotics. Indoor Robotics has evolved through years of market engagement and product development Hardware challenges  Seven years later, with the hardware challenges addressed, the company is shifting focus to continually increasing value for security managers, especially with generative AI (artificial intelligence). In 2018, the problem was charging methods, which has been solved with ceiling docking stations and five patents. “Today it’s about making indoor environments safer and even saving lives by identifying blocked emergency exits, missing safety gear, leaks, fire hazards, and more,” says Biton. While indoor navigation presents challenges—such as the unreliability of GPS and the need for precision — Indoor Robotics has dedicated significant resources to achieve centimeter-level accuracy and ensure the utmost safety, maintaining a record of zero safety incidents to date, says Biton. Indoor navigation presents challenges—such as the unreliability of GPS and the need for precision Advanced AI-driven navigation systems Navigation challenges for indoor drones include maneuvering through confined spaces, avoiding obstacles, and maintaining stable flight in varied lighting conditions. To address these, Indoor Robotics employs advanced AI-driven navigation systems, real-time 3D mapping, and robust obstacle avoidance technologies. These solutions enable drones to adapt to dynamic environments, ensuring precise and safe navigation. Additionally, the Control Bridge platform provides real-time data and monitoring, allowing drones to adjust their routes and respond to changing conditions effectively, thus enhancing their operational reliability. Highly versatile indoor drones find applications across numerous vertical markets such as retail, logistics, healthcare, and corporate settings. Key use cases encompass security surveillance, where drones monitor premises continuously; maintenance checks, especially in hard-to-reach areas; safety inspections to comply with regulations and company policies; and emergency response to provide real-time data during incidents. In warehouses, drones efficiently inspect high shelves. Healthcare facilities and data centers use them to oversee restricted zones. Additionally, corporate offices employ drones to automate after-hours security, safety, and maintenance routines. Indoor Robotics employs advanced AI-driven navigation systems, real-time 3D mapping, and robust obstacle-avoidance technologies Alerts to the remote management team One Indoor Robotics client, a global tech company, deploys drones to enhance site surveillance and operational efficiency across six offices in three countries. The drones conduct regular security patrols after-hours, monitor facility activities, and ensure compliance with safety standards. This deployment has significantly improved the overall safety and security of their offices. The drones provide real-time alerts to the remote management team, enabling prompt responses to any anomalies, such as maintenance issues or unauthorized access. “The key advantage is the unified security standard provided by our Control Bridge operating system, allowing them to oversee all their sites from one centralized platform, ensuring consistent security management across all locations,” says Biton. When indoor drones co-exist with human workers, primary challenges include ensuring safety and preventing disruptions. Drones are equipped with advanced sensors and AI-driven obstacle avoidance systems to detect and navigate effectively around people. Strict operational protocols and designated flight paths are implemented to minimize interactions. Additionally, many drone operations are scheduled for after-hours to further reduce potential disruptions. “Safety is our top priority, and we invest significant resources to ensure it,” says Biton. “We are proud to report zero safety issues to date, reflecting our commitment to maintaining a secure environment for both drones and human workers.” Deploys drones to enhance site surveillance and operational efficiency across six offices in three countries Implementation of indoor drones Indoor drones are significantly more cost-effective and affordable when compared to traditional security methods like additional cameras, sensors, manpower, and even ground robots, says Biton. They cover larger areas and provide dynamic surveillance in less time, offering real-time data collection and enhanced flexibility. Unlike cameras or ground robots, drones eliminate blind spots and adapt to environmental changes autonomously. They also offer substantial indirect savings by optimizing maintenance routines, according to Indoor Robotics. For instance, a drone can instantly identify issues in hard-to-reach areas, allowing for immediate, targeted responses, instead of requiring an inspector first and then a technician, thus streamlining maintenance processes. “The biggest obstacle to greater implementation of indoor drones is education and awareness,” says Biton. “Many people are not yet exposed to the concept of autonomous indoor drones and may find it hard to believe they really work.” To overcome this, Indoor Robotics focuses on creating awareness and educating customers about the reliability and benefits of the technology. Demonstrations, case studies, and clear communication about the capabilities and safety of drones are key. By showcasing successful implementations and providing hands-on experiences, Indoor Robotics seeks to build trust and drive wider adoption of indoor drone technology in security applications. Control Bridge operating system Drones are designed with strict privacy controls and advanced AI to ensure they respect privacy norms A common misconception is that indoor drones are intrusive and pose significant privacy risks. However, drones are designed with strict privacy controls and advanced AI to ensure they respect privacy norms. They operate primarily during off-hours and are programmed to avoid sensitive areas, focusing solely on enhancing security and operational efficiency. The solution also includes rigorous data protection measures to safeguard any collected information, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and addressing concerns effectively. Soon, automation will become integral to tasks across all facility types, from manufacturing and logistics to retail and office spaces. Using Indoor Robotics’ Control Bridge operating system, facility managers will deploy fleets of robots to identify issues, collect data, and gain insights to enhance operations, maintenance, and safety. Facilities will benefit from 24/7 AI-driven monitoring, eliminating the need for occasional surveys. Managers will receive immediate alerts for any anomalies, with preventive maintenance tasks seamlessly integrated into building management platforms, ensuring optimal performance and safety. New standards in the industry  The Indoor Robotics platform-agnostic approach provides flexibility and scalability. “As we continue to evolve, we support more and more platforms, enabling our clients to tailor their indoor monitoring solutions to their specific needs,” says Biton. “We believe that the future of security lies in intelligent, automated systems that can adapt to dynamic environments and provide real-time insights,” says Biton. Indoor Robotics seeks to be at the forefront of this transformation, setting new standards in the industry and paving the way for a safer, more efficient future.

There’s a new security paradigm emerging across malls, server farms, smart office buildings, and warehouses, and its advantage over the status quo are so broad they are impossible to ignore. Instead of a lecture, let’s start with a short narrative scenario to illustrate my point. Darryl's work Darryl works as a security guard at the Eastwood Mall. Like any typical evening, tonight’s shift begins at 9:30 PM, as the stores close and the crowds thin. His first task: Ensure that by 10 pm, all mall visitors have actually left and that all doors, windows, and docks are locked securely. As he walks through most major areas throughout the mall, he checks them off his list. All’s quiet, so after a 45-minute patrol, he stops for a quick coffee break before heading out again. He repeats the process throughout the night, happy to finish each round’s checklist and rest his feet for a few minutes. Challenge: Vandalism during the shift  A few cameras located sporadically throughout the mall recorded two dark figures moving in and out of the shadows As usual, there’s nothing notable to report, he clocks out and heads home. The next morning, however, he's greeted by an angry mall manager. He learns that sometime during his shift, three stores were robbed and a back hallway vandalized. A few closed-circuit cameras located sporadically throughout the mall recorded two dark figures moving in and out of the shadows at about 4 am. The mall manager demands an explanation, and Daryl has none, “They must have been hiding during closing time and then waited for me to pass before acting,” he says. “I can only be in one place at one time. And if they were hiding in a dark hallway, I would never have seen them.” Theft explanation “Actually,” explains the manager, “we found a loading door ajar near the furniture store. We’re guessing that’s how they got in, but we can’t be sure. Do you check all the docks? We need to know if we need to replace a lock. Look at your logs - tell me exactly what you saw and when.” Daryl tries to recall. “I'm pretty sure I checked that one a couple of times. I checked it off my list.” Darrell decides not to mention that at 4:00 AM, he was feeling the night's fatigue and might have skipped that area a couple of times. That's the end of our tale. Poor Daryl is not a bad security guard, but he’s only human. His job is repetitive and unstimulating. Darryl's work log He checks off each location for the record, but there's no way for him to record the thousands of details Let’s discuss his hourly log. He checks off each location for the record, but there's no way for him to record the thousands of details he sees to later zoom in on the few observations that might be helpful for an investigation. He has walked by that loading dock door hundreds of times, and it's all a blur. This isn’t an unusual story; Darryl is doing the same job that humans have been doing in almost precisely the same way for millennia. And, like last night, the criminals have always found a way to avoid them. But there is a better way. Solution: Fully-automated indoor drone   Replacing a human guard with a fully-automated indoor drone eliminates virtually all the problems we've identified in this story as it flies through the facility: Drone teams can work 24/7: While each drone needs to dock to recharge its battery periodically, a fleet working in concert can patrol around the clock in multiple areas simultaneously. This makes it much more difficult for an intruder to move freely, without risk of discovery. A drone can even keep an eye out and keep recording while docked. Drones see and log everything: Everything is recorded and stored in full detail as they compare what they see with what they expect to see High-resolution onboard cameras and ultrasensitive sensors can detect heat, movement, and moisture, and see into dark areas much more effectively than the human eye. As they aren't limited to the floor, they can also fly high in the air to look above obstacles and at high windows or warehouse shelves. And they don’t lose focus or get bored as the night drags on: Everything is recorded and stored in full detail as they compare what they see with what they expect to see based on a previous flight. Anything unusual triggers an alert. Drones don’t need vacations, snack/bathroom breaks, or new-recruit training: Without the need to deal with biological requirements, you aren't paying for non-work hours, and there’s no overtime for extra hours or holiday shifts. In a high-turnover business like security, there's no time spent training new employees; adding drones to your fleet simply means installing your existing procedures onto each. There is certainly room for judgment calls that require human intervention, but these can often be handled remotely using a control panel that provides all relevant data and alerts from the drones on duty. That means no scrambling to the office in the middle of the night for a false alarm. Drones outshine stationary cameras and the people staring at those screens: A guard in the security office staring at dozens of these screens usually loses their attention span throughout the shift Close-circuit cameras are expensive to install, maintain, and periodically replace. In addition, they are limited in their scope and, almost by definition, leave large blind spots. A guard in the security office staring at dozens of these screens (that generally show nothing notable) usually loses their attention span throughout the shift. Conclusion  In short, there is a good reason that our industry is following close on the heels of the manufacturing industry, which has been eagerly adopting robotics as a more cost-effective and precise solution for years. It is simply becoming harder and harder to justify the expense of the traditionally error-prone and monotonous work that we ask of our security guards.