By Scott Simmie
For decades, it’s been the standard practice for security: Locks, keys, fobs, ID cards, cameras, motion sensors, alarms, etc. All of those, plus a human being standing guard or patrolling the site, monitoring for suspicious activity and keeping an eye on people and assets.
And when those facilities close at night? Often just one or two people, keeping an eye on monitors, watching for motions sensor alerts, and walking regular in-person patrols.
In fact, this still is the standard industry practice.
But at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, one of several Ingenium museums of science and innovation in Ottawa, the security teams have two new members: InDro Robotics Prowler security robots.
“They’re a game-changer,” says Erik Bisson, Chief of Protection Services and CSO at Ingenium. “With our two robots, we can patrol 24/7 right now. Not only is it a game-changer, I think it’s going to be a force multiplier.”
We agree.
Above: The InDro Prowler, an affordable and highly effective security robot for regular patrols. Below: A LinkedIn post featuring Prowler from Erik Bisson of Ingenium
THE SPARK
Bisson joined Ingenium in 2000 and became Chief of Protection Services in 2008. He loves the field, and he loves technology.
When he took on the Protection Services role, Canada had a minority Conservative government and was in an era of fiscal belt-tightening. Bisson sat down with management to find efficiencies and savings. They began integrating a lot of access control systems, and adding more cameras that could be remotely monitored. But Bisson wanted to push things further.
“I started looking at robots in 2008,” he says. “I was a little ahead of my time back then.”
Bisson worked with different universities and robotics students, seeing if they could come up with a security robot. It was, he says, “a lot of fun” but didn’t lead to the kind of solution he needed. In fact, the path that ultimately led to security robots on the job began two years ago, when he sat down with InDro’s Head of R&D Sales, Luke Corbeth, and explained his needs. He did so with the support and vision of Chief Operating Officer Kimberlee Hemming and CEO Christina Tessier.
They discussed, at length, what such a robot would need to accomplish. It would, obviously, require a camera that could provide full situational awareness. It would need good range without having to stop and recharge. It would have to be easy and intuitive to operate, with the ability to take on autonomous patrols. And yes, it would also have to climb stairs.
“Working with Erik was fantastic, because he had a really clear vision of what features were needed for his security use-case,” says Corbeth. “Together, we settled on the capabilities and components that would ultimately become a fully deployable robot.”
THE INDRO PROWLER
One of the barriers to entry for security robots has typically been cost. Robust smart systems that handle multiple terrains can easily cost $100k-$200k. For a Crown Corporation like Ingenium, that wasn’t in the cards.
“We don’t have the millions and millions of dollars to put into security like the big organizations have,” says Bisson. “But with our two robots, we can patrol 24-7 now.”
Prowler’s wheeled quadruped design allows it to climb stairs, speed along flat surfaces, handle rough terrain and even clamber over small fences. It has a 360° camera that allows the operator to get the full picture, as well as an ultra-wide (360° x 90°) LiDAR. That means Prowler can spot everything in – and even behind – its path. And when their shift is over? Prowler returns to its home base and wirelessly recharges. It also has InDro’s Cortex brain-box on board. Cortex contains a powerful AI EDGE computer, out of the box remote teleoperation over 5G or WiFi, and multiple ports for additional sensors.
And while Prowler is already highly capable, InDro plans to add additional features that further leverage its AI and Machine Vision capabilities.
“Think person detection, animal detection, various other features that turn what the robot is seeing into actionable intelligence – and even actions as well,” says Corbeth. “So down the road, Prowler could send text messages to security teams, perhaps notifying local authorities, things of that nature.”
In the case of the Canada Science and Technology Museum, having a pair of Prowlers has proven a hit with attendees. Adults are fascinated by the technology, and children are allowed to pet colour-coded areas of these dogs when they’re in the prone position.
“Kids are drawn to them. They want to know more,” says Bisson. “We’re the perfect venue to explain the science, the technology behind it, right?
The robots are even used to escort contractors to job sites, and allow remote monitoring of the work and two-way audio communication. And the existing security guards? The reaction there has been mixed.
“I’ll be honest with you, 50 per cent of them hate them because they know it’s the future and it might change the way they do stuff. And 50 per cent love them; they see the potential, they see the future, they see the new jobs that these will create,” says Bisson.
“Nobody in Canada is doing what we’re doing right now. And leadership is allowing me to do it, which is incredible.”
Below: Listen to Erik Bisson discuss Prowler and security on EP53 of our SoundByte micro-podcast
INDRO’S TAKE
The Prowler is a perfect example of the synergy that takes place when a client with specific needs comes to InDro for a solution. With a laser focus on their use-case, InDro builds solutions that work. We believe Prowler is the most cost-effective security robot available in Canada, and it can be further customised to any client’s needs.
“Erik Bisson and Ingenium showed a lot of forward thinking in embracing a security robot to enhance efficiency and coverage,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “We’re proud to have Prowler on the job at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and look forward to further deployments already underway.”
The Prowler is priced at $50k US, fully equipped. You can learn more by having a friendly conversation with Luke Corbeth.