Robots Guard Casino in California

The Pechanga Resort & Casino in California has taken a leap into the future by signing up for autonomous security. Yes, the casino is now the first in the U.S. to “hire” robots to manage its security detail. The resort, which is located in Temecula, near the Pechanga Indian Reservation, believes that security robots will add to its current security measures, which includes a 300-strong human security force and thousands of surveillance cameras.

 

Pechanga’s Vice President of Public Safety, Robert Krauss, stated that robots were the next level in security and that they would play a great role in protecting patrons and staff. He also added that staying up to date with technology was important for businesses.

 

Krauss pointed out that the robots offered an “eye-level” perspective, which was quite different from the overhead perspective associated with surveillance cameras. He also mentioned that robots could fill the gaps left by humans.

 

Future plans

 

Pechanga is looking forward to adding another roving robot as well. This one will use the same license-plate recognition capabilities found in their first roving robot, Buddy. The feature will allow the casino to monitor the parking garages for vehicle abandonment and theft. Other than that, the feature will also help the casino identify vehicles belonging to individuals wanted by the law.

 

Krauss stated that he had been considering security robots for over a year. However, the need became more apparent after last year’s mass shooting in Mandalay Bay, which led to the deaths of 58 people.

 

Pechanga conducted an active shooter drill just after the shooting while many other casinos enhanced their security detail to prevent another mass shooting event. The Viejas Casino & Resort and Pala Casino & Resort, for instance, began screening baggage belonging to guests before checking them into their respective hotels.

 

Around the clock

 

The robots are manufactured by Knightscope, a firm based in Mountain View. They are leased to Pechanga for $8 an hour. The robots are programmed to provide around the clock patrols, which are overseen by the Pechanga Department of Public Safety.

 

The machines collect and transmit encrypted data back to a hub, where select Pechanga security personnel goes through the information to determine possible threats and prevent them.

 

William Santana Li, Chairman and CEO, Knightscope, Inc., told the media that it was proud to team up with Pechanga and set new standards for security at resort casinos throughout the US.