Evoguard, just launched at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, will use artificial intelligence and augmented reality in combination with a fleet of autonomous humanoid robots and drones for comprehensive security surveillance in a wide variety of commercial areas.

“The launch of the Evoguard brand marks a significant milestone in ADT Commercial’s expansion into the guarding market. We’ve long kept a finger to the pulse of the industry and we’re focused on identifying opportunities to innovate in ways that are meaningful and totally customer-driven,” said Dan Bresingham, President, Commercial at ADT. “Given the trends we’ve seen in recent years and the challenges our customers are facing in keeping their guard forces adequately staffed, we recognised an incredible opportunity to usher in a new era in guarding through technology.”

With Evoguard by ADT Commercial, the goal is for organisations to be able to effectively enhance their security programs by deploying intelligent autonomous guarding solutions at their facilities. Capabilities currently in development would allow organisations to carry out many tasks such as to efficiently automate routine tasks, including 24/7 patrols with constant alertness; capture evidence of disturbances or unauthorised personnel for faster alarm verification; quickly respond to high-risk or hazardous scenarios without risking human life; cost-effectively increase surveillance while reducing labour costs and overcoming staffing shortages.

The solutions are targeted for commercialisation in 2023 and will be specifically tailored for enterprise-level and high-security environments.

Humanoid robots

In partnership with Norway-based robotics company, Halodi Robotics, the humanoid robot is being developed to conduct autonomous patrols in commercial facilities; perform two-way communications between the public and an operator; open doors and operate elevators; interact with employees; inspect and remove hazards or obstructions using fully articulated hands; complete various tasks requiring fine motor-skilled actions; capture 360-degree view of patrol areas via a robust camera system; and self-dock and self-charge at designated stations.

The robot will also be able to be operated in avatar mode by using a virtual reality system. This feature will create a live telepresence environment for a human controller to remotely interact with real-life surroundings through the robot. This capability could further enable cost savings in the future for organisations by reducing the dependencies of having to send personnel to a remote, high-risk or potentially dangerous location in response to an event.

The humanoid robot is currently in its piloting phase, with anticipated commercialisation targeted for late 2023.

Autonomous indoor drones

Also part of the ADT Commercial new Evoguard brand is the Tando autonomous indoor drone. In collaboration with Israel-based Indoor Robotics, the goal of the Tando autonomous indoor drone, currently in development, would be to function as an additional layer of 24/7 surveillance to patrol commercial facilities. Also currently in its piloting phase, the Tando indoor drone has an anticipated commercialisation target for later in 2023.

“By incorporating the kind of revolutionary technology we’re releasing under the Evoguard brand into their security programmes, commercial organisations will be able to work more safely and efficiently,” said Ed Bacco, Vice President, Emerging Technologies for ADT Commercial. “The addition of humanoid robots and autonomous indoor drones means that these solutions can take on the typical security guarding tasks of observe-and-report, while being able to capture unbiased, critical data in an emergency and engage with the environment in a way that doesn’t risk human life. It’s a game changer and what we view as a cost-effective response to the ongoing challenges many have been experiencing with staffing guard forces.”