Robotics and the Future of Police Protection
Overview
As technology continues to advance, robotics is becoming an increasingly critical aspect of many sectors, including police protection. Predictions show that the global law enforcement software market will grow at a CAGR of 9.93% by 2026 (1). Robotics in police work can potentially increase efficiency, save personnel, and reduce costs. Besides, it offers opportunities for advanced capabilities like drone surveillance, electronic patrol, and automated reporting – elements that are expected to accelerate the widespread adoption.
Robotic Applications in Law Enforcement
Research shows that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have begun to play an essential role in policing, with around 347 American public-safety agencies having added drones to their toolkits as of 2018 (2). Drones enable police officers to perform tasks like surveillance, crowd monitoring, and search-and-rescue operations from a safe distance, reducing the risk of harm to personnel. For instance, in Lincolnshire, UK, police adopted drones in 2019, resulting in a 10% increase in arrests (3).
Challenges and Solutions for Robotic Policing
Despite these advantages, the application of robotics in law enforcement faces various challenges, especially in system robustness and certification. These include reliability concerns, lack of standards, and ethical issues. As a quarter (25%) of police forces across England and Wales have begun using drones, a 30% increase since 2017, there is a pressing need for a clear legal and regulatory framework. Overcoming these obstacles will open the door for more widespread and effective use of robotics in police protection.
Advancements in Robotic Police Force
While there are currently somewhat limited applications for robotics in law enforcement, several advanced prototypes and concepts have been proposed. These include police robots with biometric facial recognition software, high-definition infrared sensors, and 360-degree video surveillance capabilities. According to a Market Research Future report, the global security robots' market is estimated to reach $2.36 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period (4). These advancements point towards a future where robotics becomes an integral part of everyday policing.
Key Takeaways
- Robotics is becoming essential in law enforcement, with 347 American public-safety agencies adding drones to their toolkits as of 2018.
- Challenges like system robustness, certification, and legal regulations need to be addressed to advance robotic policing further.
- Proposed advances include police robots with high-end capabilities such as facial recognition software, high-definition infrared sensors, and 360-degree surveillance capacity.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability in robotics systems. Their unique approach tackles significant robotics challenges such as certification. 3Laws' proprietary software, 3Laws Supervisor, promises to simplify the certification process by offering robust safety features and evidence of system robustness.
3Laws is rooted in Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a novel technology developed at Caltech providing mathematically provable safety. This technology has demonstrated benefits across varied industries and applications including warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and dynamic environments. For instance, an autonomous forklift user reported a 40% efficiency gain, paying back its investment within six months using 3Laws Robotics.
3Laws aims to enhance operational efficiency by minimizing downtime from unnecessary e-stops or collisions. Providing real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, 3Laws' solutions enables robots to deliver optimal performance while maintaining safety. Their software is both adaptable and platform-agnostic, ideal for everything from mobile robots and cars, to drones and manipulators.
As a next-generation safety solution, 3Laws Robotics goes above basic e-stop methods to offer a proactive approach to safety, unlocking the full potential of robotics through dynamic, predictive methods that can be safety certified for standards such as ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.