Cobalt Robotics - Experts & Thought Leaders

Dean Drako and Cobalt AI (previously known as Cobalt Robotics) announced that Cobalt has been acquired by Dean Drako. As Cobalt’s owner, Drako will serve as the company’s chairman, while Ken Wolff, Cobalt’s CEO, will continue pioneering the company. Cobalt AI will operate as an independent company with its current management team and entire staff. Cobalt is a pioneering provider of AI alarm filtering, remote monitoring, and security robot solutions for the enterprise. The Cobalt™ Monitoring Intelligence and the Cobalt™ Command Centre deploy on a broad range of cameras, access control systems, robots, and other edge devices.  Cobalt’s enterprise security automation technology combines AI with human verification to improve enterprise safety, security, and facility workflows while delivering predictability at greatly reduced costs. Tremendous advantages of automation Dean Drako has officially renamed the company from Cobalt Robotics to Cobalt AI As a reflection of the company’s AI leadership across multiple domains, Dean Drako has officially renamed the company from Cobalt Robotics to Cobalt AI. “We are thrilled that Dean Drako has acquired Cobalt and will serve as chairman. Dean has invested capital and strategic insights to grow other physical security companies to unicorns and technology pioneers in their space,” said Ken Wolff, CEO of Cobalt AI.  “We share a mutual vision of the tremendous advantages of automation through AI with human verification.  Drako’s acquisition validates our strategy to improve monitoring, response times and lower costs and also gives us the capital to deliver for our enterprise clients.” Delivering innovative solutions “I searched for the company with the most powerful AI-based enterprise security automation in our physical security industry,” said Dean Drako. “AI is transforming our industry, and Cobalt’s alarm filtering and other technologies are years ahead.” Drako continued, "The company monitoring and command centre technology is a catalyst for a new era of security. They have created field-proven AI to make security and guarding tremendously more effective and efficient. Furthermore, Cobalt’s open platform strategy, which integrates with a plethora of video and access systems, is aligned with the open product strategy I believe in." Cobalt AI and Drako share a commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance security and efficiency for enterprise clients. Under Drako's ownership, Cobalt AI will invest in further R&D and sales execution.

Cobalt Robotics, the only machine-learning company to automate repetitive manual security and facility tasks with autonomous robots around the world, has announced a new collaboration with Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls C•CURE 9000 access control and event management system is now integrated with Cobalt’s remote guard service, which includes AI robotics, machine-learning software and human oversight. Cobalt Robotics - Johnson Controls integration With this integration, Cobalt robots listen for alarms and are automatically dispatched to the location in real-time, after an alarm is triggered. The robots will escalate the incident in the C•CURE 9000 system, stand guard and provide situational awareness until the issue is resolved. Cobalt robots can also escalate incidents to C•CURE 9000, if an anomaly is detected, such as a door held open (DHO) alarm and escalate the incident to a GSOC operator, if human support is required. Cobalt provides a complete paper/digital trail At the end of the event, Cobalt provides a complete paper/digital trail, including images, live video At the end of the event, Cobalt provides a complete paper/digital trail, including images, live video, timestamps, response time and resolution for each incident. “We are excited about this collaboration, as businesses now can take advantage of both the C•CURE access control system and Cobalt’s AI-powered robotics,” said Mike LeBlanc, the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Cobalt Robotics. Integrated system to automate alarm response Mike LeBlanc adds, “As companies turn to technology to secure their facilities and keep employees safe, the integrated Johnson Controls and Cobalt solution can automate responses to major security incidents from breaches and break-ins to risks like open doors. With businesses struggling to find security guards and keep costs under control, this integrated system is the way to automate alarm response at a substantially reduced cost.” “For many of our customers, hiring expensive security guards during a difficult labour shortage is not an option,” said Rick Focke, the Director of Product Management, Enterprise Access Control, Johnson Controls, adding “With this integration, companies can get an all-in-one security solution from alarms to robots to keep their building secure and employees safe.” Dispatching AI robots from state-of the-art security alarms Rick Focke continues, “The security workflow between our alarms and Cobalt’s robots is seamless, and all reports are automatically created and tracked, so companies can make facility improvements over time. Dispatching AI robots from state-of the-art security alarms is going to be the future of securing buildings in a much smarter, more cost-efficient way.” Cobalt is propelling the use of robots among modern enterprises, as companies look to new AI-based innovations to automate security and improve safety.

Cobalt Robotics a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech and energy tech companies in North America. Cobalt grew 979% based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2018 to 2021. Cobalt also ranked No. 27 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cobalt is propelling the use of robots among modern enterprises as companies look to new AI-based innovations to automate security and improve safety. The security robots designed by Cobalt perform tasks with objectivity and precision in lieu of human guards. This past year, Cobalt experienced significant customer expansion and sustained explosive growth with robots now deployed on five continents. Pioneer enterprises and partners including Slack, DoorDash, Ally Financial, Woven Planet, Otis, Safetrust and many others recently expanded their relationships with Cobalt demonstrating that automation in the workplace is a top to bottom priority. Recognised by Deloitte “We are thrilled to be recognised by Deloitte and listed among other leading companies that have continued to excel and innovate amidst challenging economic times,” said Mike LeBlanc, President and COO of Cobalt Robotics. “AI-powered robots have really become the new standard, the new normal for security and facility maintenance, giving security teams a very dependable, efficient way to protect their assets and keep employees safe. We are extremely proud of our science and engineering teams designing the next generation of autonomous robots.” Global health issues Technology must keep pace with ever-changing consumer and corporate demands “As the past year has shown us, innovation in important areas such as life sciences is critical to addressing infectious disease and other global health issues,” said Paul Silverglate, vice chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology sector leader. “In addition, technology must keep pace with ever-changing consumer and corporate demands for faster, safer and more efficient solutions to new societal challenges.” “Each year I am in awe of the immense talent the Technology Fast 500 rankings reveal, confirming the winners’ relentless pursuit of creativity and their ability to solve real-world problems that benefit us all.” Technology Fast 500 “This year’s Technology Fast 500 list is a true reflection of some of today’s most determined and inspiring pioneers who have prospered by anticipating what’s next, understanding what’s needed to succeed and driving creativity forward,” said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte’s audit and assurance practice. “Representing all facets of technology, the winners have shown they not only have the vision but can also expertly manage their companies through rapid growth. We congratulate each winner on their impressive achievements.”

Look who’s talking about the top issues in the physical security industry in 2019. Our website’s Expert Panel Roundtable discussions in 2019 reflected some of the most timely and important topics in the industry. The very most-clicked-on Expert Panel Roundtable discussion in 2019 was about the year before – reviewing what caused disruptions in 2018. The second most popular was about 2019, the year ahead. Other hot topics that made the Top-10 list of roundtable discussions included what makes a good security salesperson, the need for greater cybersecurity awareness, and how millennials are changing the industry. Here is a roundup of the Top 10 Expert Panel Roundtable discussions posted in 2019, along with a “sound bite” from each discussion and links back to the full articles. Thanks to everyone who contributed to Expert Panel Roundtable in 2019 (including the quotable panelists named and linked below). 1. What caused the most disruption in 2018 in the physical security space? “The industry is in the midst of a dynamic technology revolution, and we are seeing increased use of security solutions that leverage machine-based learning, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This past year, the market embraced these emerging technologies, with a myriad of solutions now being embedded with these capabilities, including IP cameras, access control systems, security robots, and drones.” – Travis Deyle, Cobalt Robotics 2. What technology trend will have the biggest impact on physical security in 2019? “IoT (Internet of Things) will continue to make us more efficient. We’re already seeing the increased integration of IoT devices into enterprise-level solutions. The rise in city-living is also putting pressure on infrastructure, so it will become increasingly important for the truly smart and safe city to move beyond a vision into reality.” – Jamie Barnfield, IDIS 3. What are the security challenges of hospitals and the healthcare industry? “Preventing security incidents is a priority and a challenge for healthcare directors. Traditionally, the success of a healthcare facility’s safety program has been equated to the number of issues that warranted a response; though, the simple number of emergency responses is not helpful in preventing the same situations from occurring again.” – Julie Brown, Johnson Controls 4. What characteristics do salespeople require in the physical security industry? “To be a good salesperson, you must understand each customer’s needs and help them solve their problems. In physical security, this need is typically some kind of risk mitigation – guarding themselves and their organisations against threats, danger and liability. This makes the conversation more fraught than if you were selling a business product such as lighting, HR software or insurance, since ultimately you are talking about people’s lives and livelihoods.” – Dave Whitis, Boon Edam 5. How does security technology make our schools safer? “IP-based physical security solutions can help deliver safer environments so that students, staff, and faculty can focus on learning. Video surveillance provides a live and recorded visual representation of what’s happening across a school and can readily be called upon to access important information during an investigation. Electronic access control on doors and barriers not only regulates who goes where, but also provides protection for property and assets.” – Terry Schulenberg, Genetec 6. Is greater awareness helping to increase cybersecurity? “On a daily basis, we hear of widely publicised cybersecurity incidents which affect our customer’s businesses, peace of mind, and assets. This new world is one the physical security industry has not been familiar with. What follows these well-publicised events is frustration and confusion, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Confusion then leads to application of ineffective security tools or, worse, inaction.” – Drew Alexander, STANLEY Security 7. What security markets are likely to embrace AI? “Transportation seems to be the market that could benefit the most from embracing artificial intelligence. As it relates to people tracking, AI could single out deviating behavior, such as someone walking against the flow of rush-hour traffic, and in turn could initiate a real-time response so authorities can determine whether or not intervening is necessary.” – Per Björkdahl, ONVIF 8. How are Millennials changing the security industry? “Over the last few years, we’ve seen the Millennial generation have a profound impact on the security industry, and this is largely due to the fact that those born in this time period have a very knowledgeable and in-depth experience with technology. Millennials are accustomed to smart devices, automation and at-your-fingertips accessibility, which has created new and unfamiliar demands when it comes to security systems and solutions.” – Ron Virden, ACRE 9. What are the mainstream uses for thermal cameras? “Thermal cameras have been the go-to solution for perimeter protection applications for decades. This year, we’re seeing more integrations of thermal cameras with other solutions like radar to improve redundancy, long-range detection and alarm verification for airports and other large sites. Thanks to new technology partnerships and thermal offerings, customers are seeing the value of thermal beyond traditional use cases.” – Fredrik Wallberg, FLIR Systems 10. How do software improvements drive physical security? “Software improvements ultimately drive greater interoperability among technology partners and system integration in physical security solutions. From a surveillance standpoint, software is also increasingly used to enhance system performance and overall longevity by identifying anomalies. For example, to ensure video data is preserved and not lost, customers are using health monitoring software on surveillance hard drives.” – Jessica Burton, Seagate Technology

Deploying security robots at a company is about more than providing and programming the hardware. There is also an element of “change management” involved in smoothing the way for robots to play a security role working side-by-side with human counterparts. Rising popularity of security robots As security robots increase in popularity, more companies are adapting to such cultural challenges "As security robots increase in popularity, more companies are adapting to such cultural challenges. Many Fortune 100, technology, finance and defense companies have begun using security robots, and some are asking to expand their implementation", says Travis Deyle, CEO and co-founder of Cobalt Robotics. "It is a complex solution that involves merging technology with people." “More people are looking at how they can deploy and test this technology, dipping their toes in the water,” says Deyle. “Financially the risk is low, but culturally it is pretty acute. It is a very visible piece of technology moving through your most sensitive spaces and interacting with employees.” Change management “Doing change management and addressing the cultural implications inside the company are the biggest challenges we face,” Deyle adds. “We have to make sure that people know what the robot is there for, what it does and how it helps them. There is a social contract between companies and employees about what information is being collected and how is it being used.” The technical onboarding of a robot is the easy part, says Deyle. “The robot goes in, maps out the space; it takes about an hour. The bigger part is the cultural onboarding.” The process involves working closely with the company’s communications team to manage how the use of robots is messaged throughout the company. Deyle suggests doing a Q&A event where employees can touch and feel the robot and get comfortable. “We tailor the interaction to the individual company,” he says. Importance of communication Communication with employees, tenants, clients, law enforcement, etc. is very important Communication with employees, tenants, clients, law enforcement, etc. is very important and, if done well, all goes smoothly, agrees William Santana Li, Knightscope Chairman and CEO. “Showing up with a 400-pound, 5-foot-tall autonomous robot, deploying it and not telling anyone what is happening is ill advised!” Knightscope also advises potential end users to identify clearly the areas of improvement needed in a security program to guide the deployment of robots. Beware of “Science Fiction Disease,” whose symptoms include unrealistic expectations or fears emanating from Hollywood depictions of robots over the years. Expectations should be spelled out: Keep ongoing and clear communications between the provider and the client, continuing to make improvements together. Future of robotics and AI Users should also think clearly through their source of funding, including the second and future years of an implementation. Communication is key, involving stakeholders from the CSO to facilities, purchasing to human resources, finance to the CEO. The future of robotics in corporate America is more than the development of the technology. Given advances in artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and software, the technology is the easy part. Thinking more broadly about how robotics can excel in the corporate environment – and make companies safer – is the next big obstacle on the path to effectively using the powerful technology.

From robots to drones to counter-drone solutions, a range of new technologies will be displayed at ISC West 2019. The Unmanned Security Expo will return, including a dedicated complimentary education theater for attendees offering sessions on a range of topics. UAVs, UGVs and autonomous systems Also included will be demos of the best UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground robotics and vehicles) and autonomous systems on the market. The market growth for unmanned technologies being used for security and safety benefits is progressing at a rapid pace. Let’s look at some of the exhibitors in the 2019 Unmanned Security Expo: Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations. Indoor environments, which are confined and controlled, present fewer navigation challenges for robots, which can quickly become familiar with the surroundings and navigate easily through an office space. Indoor robots can provide benefits beyond security, too, such as facility management, promoting employee health and safety, and emergency response Compact surveillance radar (CSR) system SpotterRF provides the world’s most advanced compact surveillance radar (CSR) system for affordable wide-area, all-weather perimeter security and small force protection. Incorporated in 2009, the company attained profitability quickly and is ahead of forecasts. Dedrone has remained at the front of the issue of drone threats, integrating installations to military bases, stadiums, public events, and private individuals. The company has expanded its operations to include a new office in Washington, D.C, and has continued to upgrade its DroneTracker software. DroneTracker is the industry’s first airspace security solution that includes automated summary reporting for instant diagnosis of drone airspace activity. Airspace security and drone tracker Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider. Founded in 2007 in Israel, Magos first specialised in advanced radar solutions for the military and defense markets. In 2015, Magos’ technology was declassified, allowing the company to focus on developing best-in-class systems for the commercial security market. Today, Magos radars are used in over 30 countries in critical infrastructure, data centers, electric utility sub stations, and oil refineries as well as in other commercial verticals like vineyards and car lots. Now, Magos is positioned to see increased adoption of its solutions in the U.S. Patriot One Technologies Inc. develops solutions to detect concealed weapons, utilising novel radar technologies. Their innovative radar technology provides first responders and security personnel valuable time in active threat scenarios. The technology offers stand-off detection of concealed threats typically employed in public locations. These are just a few of the exhibitors in the Unmanned Security Expo. They represent technologies that will help to shape the future of the security marketplace.