Johnson Controls International is adding an autonomous robot to its Tyco security products line, promising patrols that protect people, prevent incidents and provide “operations beyond traditional security.”
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), which has many of its top executives in Glendale, doesn’t manufacture the robots but sources them from Ava Robotics Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Ava Robotics technology helps increase and streamline security operations, said Jason Ouellette, Johnson Controls’ director of technology and business innovation.
“The robots observe, monitor and notify staff so they can focus more on taking the right action in real time,” Ouellette said in a press release.
The robots work in conjunction with existing reporting practices and historical trend analysis, Johnson Controls said. It’s a security technology “that augments human activities and automates tasks,” Johnson Controls said.
Tyco showed a concept robot in September 2021 and debuted the robot Jan. 16 at Intersec 2022 in Dubai. The robot remains in development and has yet to officially launch, Johnson Controls spokesman Ryan Nolan said Tuesday.
The robot measures just over 6 feet tall and nearly 23 inches wide, according to a product brochure. It runs on four lithium-ion batteries.
The robot is designed to bring access control, video surveillance and security robotics together for a more comprehensive and efficient solution, Ava Robotics said. The robots fill a need for building owners and managers to streamline security operations, maximize staffing and automate processes, Ava Robotics said.
Johnson Controls said security robots enhance the effectiveness of the Tyco Illustra cameras. The idea is that the robot plays the role of “observe and report” and then security staffs can diagnose or diffuse an incident remotely, or intercede directly if needed, according to a Johnson Controls brochure from September 2021.
“The security robot provides enhanced deterrence and high-quality evidence for investigations, managing repeatable security tasks and enabling security personnel to focus on high-value activities,” Johnson Controls said.
