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Robots Guard Bases
January 4, 2008: Base security is
increasingly being turned over to robots. Not just patrolling robots and
computer controlled sensors, but automated entry gates. The U.S. Department of
Defense has begun using automated pedestrian gates. These use biometrics (thumb
prints, usually) and ID cards with electronic data built in. The automated
gates are covered by sensors and video cameras, to insure that only the person
with the proper ID card comes though the computer controlled gates. There are
actually two rotating gates per automated entry point, so the software has time
to double check the person entering, before allowing them on the base. Each
automated gate costs about $250,000. Automated vehicle gates would cost more,
but would more easily perform the vehicle security checks. The cost benefits of
automated gates are pretty straightforward. Each military person on gate duty
costs over $100,000 a year (in pay and benefits), and you need several to
handle a gate year round. Civilian security guards are cheaper, but not by a
whole lot, since you need reliable people handling these gates. The military
has, since September 11, 2001, been using an increasing number of security
cameras and other sensors to guard bases. There are even mobile robots to move
along fence lines, and patrol areas at night, or remote areas that rarely have people in them. The robots are not only
cheaper, but more reliable. And they don't complain about boring security duty.
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