A spin-off from ETHZ, Ascento is developing autonomous wheeled robots that can complement teams of security guards. The technology is already being used by Securitas and SBB.
Ascento announces that Securitas and SBB have bet on its technology. This ETHZ spin-off develops autonomous robots. These can in particular complement the teams of security guards to cover large outdoor areas. Securitas and SBB have been testing these autonomous vehicles for more than six months.
The robots developed by Ascento have the particularity of having two wheels as legs. The central block contains the computer system, batteries and sensors. Not to mention software with artificial intelligence capabilities. Thanks to its all-terrain tires, the robot can overcome rough terrain, hills, stairs and even move on snow. While the 360 degree camera takes pictures of the environment, the thermal camera is used to search for people and moving objects. The robot can interact with a human operator through a live broadcast.
“Our unique business model allows security service providers to hire robots by the hour to complement their security guard teams,” says Iglesia Valls, CTO of Ascento. The start-up now hopes to be able to expand its production capacity to meet growing demand.
