GSR Expanding Team With Autonomous Security Robot

The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is expanding its security team with the addition of the Knightscope K5 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR).

The K5 includes 360-degree view cameras, two way communication ability, thermal imaging and an emergency call button.

The robot was named "Jackbot" by GSR team members. Jackbot is the first ASR in a Northern Nevada casino. The team says it will provide an extra set of ears and eyes around the property. 

"What it's doing is it's running right at eye level, but then we can also hear what's going on. So if there is a problem we think is happening on the floor, we are dispatching our officers, we can hear whats going on and actually communicate with the individuals out there," said Greg Goll, Vice President of Safety and Security at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. 

Knightscope founders believe with a unique combination of hardware, software and humans, crime could be greatly reduced by as much as 50% with the ASR.

The K5 proactively seeks out anomalies that might suggest criminal activity, such as people in restricted areas, and alerts GSR's security personnel upon pressing a duress button.

"Really what we want to do is to stay ahead of the technology. As technology comes out we want to look at that. So it's like going from a high definition camera to 1080 and now 4k," said Goll.

The hope for the K5 ASR is to provide guests with additional peace of mind.

"If someone presses the duress button, we can hear them in our dispatch room and be able to communicate with them," said Goll.

Jackbot will not only be used for security though, and will have some features geared towards customer service.

"We can actually program it for specific messages. So it's not only a security robot, but also could be geared more toward customer service here on property," said Goll.

As of right now, officials say this is not taking away or taking over any security jobs, and is just a way to assist current staff.