PORTLAND, Oregon — The U.S. Bancorp Tower has added a new member to its security team: a robot. Nicknamed Rob, the robot stands at 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 420 pounds.
Like some other large cities around the U.S., Portland's downtown area has grappled with the ongoing issue of crime. Unico Properties, a real estate firm that owns the U.S. Bancorp Tower, deployed Rob this month to help patrol the building's parking structure. Rob is tasked with giving the security team a boost with video and audio surveillance, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
"There is no chance he’s going to go 'Terminator.' The worst he can do is take a selfie," said Keren Eichen, the director of real estate for Unico Properties.
Eichen said that Rob can speak, and the security team can listen and communicate through the robot.
"He is monitored from our security desk inside, so he won’t himself do anything except stop and record footage. So he can’t dial out. He is just a on wheels mobile robot," Eichen said.
Rob is the first autonomous security robot in downtown Portland, according to Unico Properties. The robot, which cost upwards of $10,000, was manufactured by the California-based company Knightscope. It's equipped with 4K quality video surveillance, 360-degree visibility, thermal imaging, license plate recognition technology to monitor unwanted vehicles and alerts that prompt when banned people are on site.
"We’re looking at ways to technologically improve our security program all the time, and this is kind of the next new thing," Eichen said. "This is easier than staffing security because he doesn’t get tired, he doesn’t get cold, he can go all night."
Anyone walking near the building on Southwest 5th Avenue and West Burnside Street may see Rob cruising down the sidewalk. Eichen said she believes providing people with fun things to do and see helps the downtown area.
"If you stop and speak to the robot, you know that there’s someone on the other side who’s answering your questions that can give you directions, can tell you ‘Happy holidays,'" Eichen said.
She added that Unico Properties doesn't currently have plans to add another robot to their security team.
