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Robots Are Patrolling Downtown Denver Parking Garages. Are More Coming?

FILE - This Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 file photo shows the humanoid robot "Alter" on display at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. Understanding humor may be one of the last things that separates humans from ever smarter machines, computer scientists and linguists say. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

When LoDo Towers in downtown Denver recognized an increase in car break-ins, they decided to enlist the help of some robotic assistants. Meet LoDoMus Prime and Dave, the security robots in charge of monitoring the two parking garages. Their job? Watch people park their cars and rush off to appointments, and if anyone lingers for too long, the robots start a countdown: “Five, four, three, two, one.” If the person doesn’t move, the robots call for human backup.

According to Bethany Chang, a principal with CIM Group, the property management firm, since the deployment of the robots, there has been a significant decline of over 70% in car thefts and vandalism. The robots went to work in October 2022, just as the world was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chang says that during the pandemic, security was a concern in many markets, and LoDo wasn’t immune to that. Nonetheless, the robots offer a very smart innovation that goes beyond the traditional security camera approach.

Surveillance has long been a staple strategy for companies looking to improve security both inside and outside their properties. For years, cameras were fixed at doors and on walls to record video of people coming and going. However, now there’s a new kid on the block – autonomous robots. These robots have the ability and intelligence to monitor in real-time, detect and notify of deviations from established patterns, and even self-patrol, making them an excellent complement to traditional security systems.

While there may be some concern over their deployment, the rise of security robots in the property management world has been widely adopted. The use of robots has made for a safer environment, and as technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that we will see even more advanced models in the future. One potential advantage of these types of robots is their mobility in altering an environment. They are not tethered to a power source; this means they can adapt to different scenarios within a space, altering where they roam to match the time of day or week.

Robots are already an essential part of several industries, and now they’re finding their way into security. It’s fascinating to think about an autonomous machine detecting an issue and then quickly calling for backup, something previously only achievable by humans. These security robots show an incredible amount of promise and are yet another example of how technology is revolutionizing the way we work and live. So, if you’re ever in downtown Denver and see LoDoMus Prime and Dave patrolling the parking garages, you’ll know that you’re in good hands!

In conclusion, it’s clear that security robots are here to stay. They offer a level of protection that cameras and traditional security guards cannot match. Companies such as LoDo Towers have implemented them to great effect, and it’s undoubtedly a trend that will continue. The robots will only get smarter and more versatile, and it’s exciting to think about where this technology will take us in the future. For now, though, we can take comfort in knowing that our safety is being looked after by the latest in robotic innovation.

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