| Sharp's Robolliance forum aims to advance understanding of the Autonomous Robotics marketplace |
Sharp Electronics Corporation, founding sponsor of the Robolliance programme, brought together fellow sponsors and onsite press covering PSA TEC 2016 to announce today the launch of an initiative focused on ground-based security robotics. Today’s announcement defined the Robolliance programme as “a forum for technology partners and industry experts in robotics, surveillance and security to advance the understanding and awareness of the Autonomous Robotics marketplace”.
Robotics engineering as a new business area
Sharp Electronics Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Osaka-based Sharp Corporation, a worldwide manufacturing company, who revealed nearly three years ago the inclusion of robotics engineering as a new business area. Since then, Sharp Corporation has introduced to non-U.S. markets such robotic technologies as the Cocorobo for cleaning and the Robohon for communication.
Specific to the opportunity for robotics in the United States, there is Sharp Laboratories of America (SLA) and Sharp Robotics Business (SRBD). SLA has been working on autonomous vehicles as part of their business robotics R&D. SLA develops leading-edge B2B products that improve employee productivity, reduce costs, enhance collaboration, and meet rapidly changing business demands. Sharp Robotics Business (SRBD), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), whose Vice President & Deputy General Manager, Cliff Quiroga, led the press conference, targets growth industries primed for robotic technology. Security is one of those industries.
Collaboration between technologists, industry specialists and sales channel providers
In his opening remarks, Cliff Quiroga shared a comment he had received in writing from US-based Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) Chairman and President, Toshiyuki Osawa. According to Mr. Osawa, “Sharp Electronics Corporation is proud to be a part of Robolliance. Robolliance gives all participating sponsors the ability to work together as an ecosystem of top-tier technologists, industry specialists and sales channel providers to bring forth vibrant, innovative products and services aptly suited to the changing demands of the security industry. The benefit of collaboration allows each sponsor, like us, to stay focused on their core competencies and collectively enlighten customers on solutions tailored to their needs.”
"Robotics is a solution for |
“There is a growing understanding that “Business Robotics” will play an expanding role in the future of automation and how companies operate”, stated Cliff Quiroga. “The demands on the security industry, both from a manpower and technological standpoint, are growing exponentially. Robotics is a solution for organisations to expand their surveillance coverage in a safe, reliable way and liberate manpower to focus on the more demanding, intellectual aspects of security.”
Robolliance sponsors all have a vested interest in advancing the segment and those in attendance echoed Cliff Quiroga’s precept that security is prime for robotics.
Bill Bozeman, President and CEO of PSA Security Network and fellow Robolliance sponsor, said “In my 36 years in this space, I’ve seen two or three big game changers that really made an impact on the industry, really made an impact on the dealer’s P&L. I believe this (robotics) to be one.” PSA Security Network is the world’s largest electronic security cooperative and played host to the Robolliance press conference at the Westin Westminster in Westminster, Colorado. PSA also has a strong offering in security integration education and accreditation that is aligned to the purpose of the Robolliance programme.
Another Robolliance sponsor, BG (General) William J. Marshall III, has a perspective of autonomous robotics for security shaped by his former military experience and his current role as an Assistant Vice President for Government and Military Relations at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). General Marshall is actively seeking high tech solutions, inclusive of robotics, in his newest role within NJIT’s New Jersey Innovation Institute as Executive Director, Innovation Laboratory for Defense and Homeland Security. Stated General Marshall, “Corporate leadership needs to understand what it means to deploy technology, especially autonomous platforms. Robolliance will support their decision making and deployment. With robotics, we could arrive at a solution that is cheaper, better, faster and safer. The tragedy at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear plant provides an example of why “robotics” are so important to replace and otherwise augment other security considerations.”
Three tiers of expert sponsors
Three tiers of sponsors comprise the Robolliance. Sponsors can be technology companies working on or with robotic solutions, and some may actually offer robotic components, like Sharp has designed. Sponsors can also be sales channel companies; such as security guard services or security integration corporations as were in attendance at PSA TEC 2016. The powerhouse of the Robolliance are its expert sponsors, whose know-how drives the educational conversation around autonomous robotics in the security space. These professionals have expertise in cybersecurity, law enforcement, robotic standards and testing, technology sales and distribution, engineering, and more.
"In the case of robotics for security |
“There’s no doubt, technology is disruptive. Simplistically, every time I upgrade my smartphone there is a feature I must get comfortable using or a glitch I may have to work through”, says Alice DiSanto, Director of Marketing for SRBD. “In the case of robotics for security and surveillance, the technology will be highly disruptive and we as sponsors need to be ahead of the curve in building understanding to ease adoption, streamline implementation and help organisations in search of a security solution find answers. Robolliance can be their resource.”
A multitude of excellent information sources exist that address robotics, security integration, surveillance, guarding, autonomy and other topics. Some have actually become Robolliance sponsors. The Robolliance programme was created to bridge the chasm between end-users, sales channel technology providers, and the information necessary to make critical security solutions as they relate to emerging robotics technology.” Robolliance serves this niche.
“As someone who has spoken and is speaking about security technology every day, Robolliance is just what I need”, shared Mike Kobelin, Director of Sales (SRBD) and former Board President for PSA. “Robotics is not the first high tech product in my tool kit for large companies looking to strengthen and modernise their security. However with Robolliance, robotics is the first security solution that has a dedicated website and network of professionals working with me to bring awareness to end-users. It’s an ecosystem built on thought leadership and early-adoption advocacy.”
Robolliance will feature the Robolliance.com. It will also offer every sponsor offline networking and speaking engagement opportunities that further their interests in robotics, security and surveillance.