Technology Update from ISC West 2021

By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers

ISC West 2021The 2021 International Security Conference West Coast (ISC West) was much smaller this year, but still packed a punch for technology announcements. The smaller crowd still showed a lot of enthusiasm for the latest and greatest innovations in Commercial Video Surveillance, Access Control, Visitor Management, Intrusion detection, Public Safety and Emergency management.

Cyber and Physical Security Convergence

The overwhelming conversation this year was around the convergence of cyber and physical security. The physical security of cyber networks and the management of commercial and industrial IOT (Internet of Things) devices. High profile hacks have made the world pause and analyze how to better protect their networks and data from outside intrusion.

Currently Worldwide – 65 billion IOT devices

  • 127 IOT devices being connected every second.
  • Each device allows for the possibility of a vulnerability onto your network.
  • More to come on this from Kenton Brothers in the future.

Artificial Intelligence

ISC West 2021 - Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligence and Robotics continued it’s flag waving this year. There are always large crowds around booths and displays for this type of technology. The use of artificial intelligence to analyze commercial video surveillance and create a proactive approach to stopping intrusion or crime continues to be a very strong driver for many companies.

Davantis, BriefCam and Avigilon continue to lead the way and evolve the technology to more use cases. The video analytics, AI learning and user input continue to make huge gains in deep learning and proactive measures.

With diminishing law enforcement personnel levels all across the country AI can help bridge the gap. There is no doubt that it is a force multiplier and will change the law enforcement and security industries forever.

Robotics

ISC West 2021 - RoboticsThe robotics offerings showed very well this year at ISC West. Cobalt robotics continued to show the strength of AI, Deep Learning and Human Intelligence all working together to create secure spaces. Their announcement of the open IP addresses check was a topic that many responded to. Robots can also help with wireless signal intelligence: WiFi and cellular signal strength heatmaps, locations of rogue wireless access points, and the presence and identity of nearby electronic devices through techniques such as MAC address fingerprinting.”

Cobalt continues to wow customers with it’s ability to adapt to the workspace and create endless services.


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ISC West 2021 - AsylonThe show saw some exciting new technology surface this year. Asylon showed off the its offering of Robotic perimeter security. This includes their offerings of both drones and “Guard Dogs or cats”. The combination of these two platforms gives you complete coverage and the ability to gain proactive intelligence quickly. The space is innovating quickly!

Commercial IP Video Surveillance

Axis Communications

Axis Communications enables a smarter and safer world by creating network solutions that provide insights for improving security and new ways of doing business. As the industry leader in network video, Axis offers products and services for video surveillance and analytics, access control, and audio systems. This year, Axis spotlighted their ability to converge their platforms to one united system. Axis produced a great video that showcases the new convergence of their offerings.

Avigilon

Avigilon was busy fielding questions around the H5A system cameras.  This FIPS compliant line of video surveillance has produced some excellent cameras for a wide range of needs.  This line has truly raised the bar for cyber and physical security compliance. The addition of convolutional neural networks as the edge greatly increases the ability to have better, faster analytics driving commercial video surveillance.  All while encrypting the footage.   Check out their video explaining the line in more detail.

One new product that deserves a mention is the G.L.O.V.E.  system.

The GLOVE, which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, is a conducted electrical weapon (CEW) from Compliant Technologies. It is designed to be used in conjunction with an officer’s defensive tactics training and other use of force tools to more effectively de-escalate use of force incidents and bring non-compliant subjects under control in a safe and timely manner. Another force multiplier that is more reliable than a Taser.

In conclusion, the show was smaller this year but still packed the same punch! We look forward to next year and getting back to normal soon.

Cobalt Robotics Offers Return to Work Solutions

By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers

From risk mitigation conversations to return to work strategies, one thing is for certain – The Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the way we do business.

The pandemic has introduced a whole new set of rules and threats to an organization:

  • How do I keep my assets protected while not exposing my team to infection?
  • How do I safely integrate team members back into the workspace?
  • What is my new business continuity plan look like with lessons learned over the last 5 months?

The “new normal” requires a long term strategy. There are complex considerations and Safety and Security Robots should be a part of that conversation.

Kenton Brothers Systems for Security offers the Cobalt Robotics Solution to help support these long term strategies. Along with the 60 sensors that Cobalt Robotics deploys in its usual role of safety and security robotics, it now offers a complete Covid-19 response solution. This solution delivers weekly reports that allow you to understand and drive behavioral change.

Along with traditional access control and commercial video surveillance solutions we offer, the Cobalt Robotics solution can conduct temperature screenings with a built-in thermal camera, utilize machine learning models to identify face coverings and other forms of PPE, and apply computer vision technology to monitor for social distancing.

Temperature Screening Capabilities

Cobalt Robotics: Back to Work Solutions

Download the Cobalt Robotics Return to Office Solution PDF

Cobalt’s system combines a high-end FLIR camera with a thermal black body to screen your employees, guests, and visitors for elevated skin temperatures with accuracy within 1° F. Unlike other solutions, the Cobalt solution captures temperature readings from tear ducts, the most reliable proxy for internal body temperature. Our unique design guides individuals through the proper screening steps without further exposing them to the spread of COVID-19.

The Cobalt Robotics solution integrates with your existing protocols and performs within the constraints of your privacy policies.

Mask, PPE and Social Distancing Alerting

On patrol, Cobalt robots can detect mask and PPE compliance and either alert immediately or report at the end of the day all alert instances depending on the direction from the customer. Cobalt robots also have the ability to monitor the work environment for social distancing and either alert immediately or report at the end of the day.

Ready to Roll?

If you’re ready to learn more about the solutions offered by Kenton Brothers Systems for Security and Cobalt Robotics, let us know. We can deploy within 7 days! Please call us to set up a demo.

Cobalt Robotics: Back to Work Solutions

Create Safer Worksites with Automated Patrols

Depending on the industry, some worksites are safer than others. If your worksite is considered high risk for injury, then you probably struggle with finding, much less implementing, tools that provide the level of ongoing visibility that allows for swift and effective action. And, even if you have tools and systems in place, it still can be a struggle to catch every risk, everywhere, every time.

Enter Cobalt Robotics

That is why high-risk injury worksite leaders are embracing Cobalt Robotics to gain full situational awareness of their employees and facilities. Unlike distant cameras and fallible humans, Cobalt’s autonomous robots help ensure compliance in safety equipment and protocols so issues can be handled as they arise. These robots are the tool modern organizations need to enhance their safety operations.

Of course, robots cannot interact and intervene on the human level. So, Cobalt pairs its onsite robots with a remote Specialist Command Center staffed by people who are trained in your operations, safety rules/regulations and mandated protocols. Together, you gain unmatched coverage of your employees and single or multiple facilities to ensure action and accountability in real time. In other words, Cobalt protects your employees and worksites, allowing you to focus on other important matters.

Cobalt Robots in Real-World Situations

The following are just a few safety scenarios in which Cobalt robots create safer worksites.

Spill in Aisle 1

Cobalt RoboticsAs you and your employees know, spills are dangerous and can be difficult to detect on certain surfaces, especially if a liquid is clear. Cobalt’s robots autonomously roam your facility and can detect spills and alert for a cleanup.

And, should an employee slip and fall, the robot informs a specialist from Cobalt’s Command Center. The specialist assesses the employee’s injury and notifies the appropriate person for a report or 911.

Missing Safety Gear

The more safety gear required, the better the chance that a key piece can be missed, putting the employee and company compliance at risk. Cobalt’s robots stream stable, mobile video feeds for visibility of employees.

While a co-worker may not notice or call out missing safety gear or a supervisor is busy with other work, the robot can spot and remind an employee of what’s missing.

Clear a Path

In many work sites, there are designated paths for forklifts, machinery and foot traffic. Imagine a stack of palettes obstructing a forklift path. Or a service worker leaving a ladder where they shouldn’t. For the workers and site managers, going about their day-to-day duties, they might not notice these safety risks. But our robotic patrols are the best for detecting any anomaly and pairing it with human judgement to determine steps for resolution.

The Door is Ajar

Open DoorEntryways and doors to restricted areas can be purposely or accidentally left wide open, causing a number of risks.

A Cobalt robot can alert a Specialist and remain by the door until the issue is resolved to warn employees or restrict them from entering the area.

As an autonomous vehicle, the Cobalt robot patrols worksites along its designated route. If an employee asks for help or if it detects an anomaly, our Specialists can step in, pilot the robot, and interact with people through our video-enabled touchscreen.

Want to know more?

Robots such as Cobalt are already operating in a variety of industries to keep their worksites safer. Discover how Cobalt can reduce risk for your facilities and employees.

It’s easy to get started.

KCTV5 News Spot

Check out this news spot on the KCTV5 YouTube channel!

And here is the Kenton Brothers video about Cobalt Robotics

Could a Robot Keep Your Warehouse Safe? And Save You Money?

Whitepaper: Automating Warehouse Security

Admit it. No matter how old you are, you’ve been waiting to have your very own robot someday. A friendly one. One who is helpful and talks like humans do. One who looks out for you and, when necessary, saves the day. And, looks super cool.

Cobalt Robotics can do just that. These robots are designed to have total situational awareness, be proactive, and resolve security events immediately and effectively. Cobalt’s indoor “robots as a service,” fills a critical void within physical security solutions and supplements current technology and guard programs.

Security Robots Supplement Security Guards & Services

Physical security is necessary to protect your facility and your employees. However, high turnover rates and the expense of adequate security services are challenging. Around-the-clock security coverage and real-time response is difficult to sustain, which leaves a security program particularly at-risk after hours, such as on nights, weekends, and holidays.

How the Cobalt Robot Works

Cobalt’s robots combine the reliability of machines and the flexibility of humans. The Cobalt robot has super-human detection systems to help manage temperature signatures, osha violations, spillage, intrusion and more. In addition, the cobalt robot is connected to a 24-hr security operations center (SOC) whenever an incident or anomoly is detected. This unique combination of robotic and human features provides complete situational awareness and real-time response for warehouse security teams.

Cobalt Robotics

The Cobalt robot is both a highly complex system of features and a practical, working solution for ongoing security pain-points. Here are the four examples of how it works:

Sensing and identifying:

The Cobalt robot has over 60 extremely capable sensors including day-night cameras, 360-degree cameras, thermal cameras, depth cameras, LIDAR, and badge reader. Using cutting-edge algorithms such as machine learning, semantic mapping, and novelty detection, the robot can independently identify and flag security-relevant anomalies like people, sounds, motion, doors and windows, missing assets, and other risks.

Cobalt Robotics

Augmenting the value of existing security:

The combination of its sensors and algorithms makes it such that a single robot is comparable to an extremely competent guard with super-human capabilities and omnipresent situational awareness across an entire organization. These robots are meant to keep offices secure by patrolling, uncovering intruders, and identifying safety concerns (such as fire hazards or leaks/spills) or anything out of the ordinary.

Cobalt Robotics

Human-in-the-loop:

Each robot has a tablet for communication between our remote Specialists and the people on-site. Employees can tap the tablet screen to call a Specialist for guidance and reassurance, while Specialists can call in to deter an intruder, check on an employee, or address hazards.

Cobalt Robotics

Human-centered design:

The robot stands at 5’1”, a standard cubicle height, allowing it to perform in a range of settings. Fabric was chosen to cover the robot’s technology to help convey a soft and friendly appearance, encouraging person-robot interactions.

Cobalt Robotics

What’s the Human Specialist’s Role?

When the robot detects an anomaly, a highly trained, intelligent, and empathetic remote Robot Specialist is alerted. The Specialist determines whether something is amiss and the appropriate action to take or, if nothing is wrong, uses the scenario to teach the robot.

Cobalt’s service hours depend on the building type. In office spaces, Cobalt is typically active between 8 PM – 6 AM on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. For low traffic areas such as warehouses and manufacturing sites, Cobalt’s services are available 24/7.

Here are a few more examples of what Cobalt robots do for warehouse security:

  • Detect environmental anomalies like heat, humidity, CO and CO2 levels, and smoke
  • Maintain worksite and personnel compliance with OSHA regulations and safety protocols
  • Discover and mitigate risks from potentially damaging leaks and spills
  • Receive immediate notifications of unsafe conditions or dangerous situations

Know Exactly What Your Security Service is Doing

Ever wonder who guards the guards? With Cobalt, you get consistency, peace of mind and valuable data showing the effectiveness of your security solutions.

Every week, Cobalt’s customers receive a report including noteworthy events, patrol statistics, specific tasks completed (i.e., door checks, sensitive asset location verification, etc.), and much more. Quarterly updates contain valuable analysis with insights into trends and potential vulnerabilities.

Indoor security robots such as Cobalt are already operating in a variety of facilities and industries. Discover how Cobalt can increase security, lower costs, and reduce risk for your facilities and employees.

It’s easy to get started.

Cobalt Robotics