Features
ASSA ABLOY partners with Boston Dynamics, maker of Spot robot
September 25, 2024 By SP&T Staff
Image: ASSA ABLOY At this year’s Global Security Exchange (GSX) in Orlando, ASSA ABLOY introduced a new digital access solution that allows Boston Dynamics’ Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open accessed-controlled automated doors autonomously.
Spot robots have been deployed by security professionals for performing autonomous patrols of property perimeters such as fence lines, exterior doors, and other critical assets located outside buildings.
Equipped with PTZ industrial video camera, thermal, and audio sensor payloads, Spot robots provide continuous monitoring, streaming live data back to command centres. Until now, however, the word “autonomous” didn’t apply to Spot’s ability to open accessed-controlled doors easily.
With embedded digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Signo readers from HID (an ASSA ABLOY brand) Spot can freely pass through compatible automated doors to patrol the exterior of facilities or to transit interior secured openings.
According to Angelo Faenza, head of Digital Access Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas, “As soon as Boston Dynamics presented us with the door access issue they were facing, we immediately jumped at the opportunity. It’s such a natural fit and has been a thoroughly symbiotic and successful collaborative endeavour. Security solutions, after all, are what we’re all about. It’s always a pleasure and privilege to work with such an exciting technology innovator like Boston Dynamics.”
“Our partnership with ASSA ABLOY quickly resulted in the creation of a logical and practical solution to overcome what was originally a tricky problem,” added Tim Dykstra, director of strategic partnerships and channel sales for Boston Dynamics. “Today, ASSA ABLOY has made it incredibly easy for Spot to go where it needs to in order to perform its critical autonomous security patrols.”
In addition to security operations, the new autonomous digital access capability will be available for Spot’s industrial inspection applications.