knightscope k5 autonomous data machine

Knightscope, Inc. was founded in 2013, and is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. The goal of Knightscope is to design, build and deploy Autonomous Data Machines (ADMs), which are used to monitor crimes in malls, parking lots, and neighborhoods. 

The K5 Autonomous Data Machine is a robot designed to revolutionize private security and to enhance the crime prevention efforts of local law enforcement. With K5 Betas rolling out this year, Knightscope advertises its innovative machine will help reduce crime in neighborhoods, ensure greater safety in high traffic public spaces, and increase the security of private property.

During its autonomous patrol, if the K5 detects abnormal noise and temperature change, or known criminals, it will alert local authorities.

The K5 model is a bullet-shaped robot that stands about 5 feet tall,three-feet wide and weighing about 300 pounds. It has twin panels of lights about two-thirds of the way up its body. There is also a small silver colored flag of the United States on the left side of its body. 

sensor options
The K5  uses a variety of sensors including video camera, thermal imaging sensors, a laser range finder, radar, air quality sensors and a microphone.

Optical Character Recognition:It scans up to 1,500 license plates per minute. When the K5 detects a license for a known criminal on a "hot list", it will alert the law enforcement force.
Omnidirectional Imaging:The K5 has "360-degree high definition video capture".
Microphones: The K5 has an ambient noise microphone that can capture audio. The range from 80 to 90 decibels is normal. If the sounds suddenly goes beyond 100 decibels, the K5 will notify the local authorities.

Ultrasonic: The ultrasonic sensor is used to detect speed and distance when the robot cruises in an area.
Infrared The K5 uses the infrared light to collect about 90TB of data every day, and the infrared light can function at night.

Lidar: LIDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It emits laser that  sweeps 270-degree to measure the objects and map its surrounding area.
Thermal Imaging: The thermal imaging sensor detects and measures minute temperature differences It can detect objects 24 hours a day.

Multiple K5 and K3 robots are deployed across the United States. Once deployed, they move at about 3 mph in a geo-fenced area and gather real-time on-site data using their sensors.

The captured data includes the license plates, thermal data, and people's movements. Software onboard the robot determines when to alert the community and authorities about the concern

Types of knightscope

Knightscope has four different robot models: the K1, K3, K5 and K7.






The CEO of Knightscope, Inc.,Mr. William Santana Li, , said "Our aim is to cut the crime rate by 50% in a geo-fenced area, which would increase housing values and safety while lowering insurance costs.