Knightscope
The K5 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR) doesn’t just perform well in a lab — it’s built for the messiness of real-world environments. From parking lots packed with moving vehicles to winter snow and desert heat, the K5 is designed to patrol confidently, safely, and reliably. We’ve learned a lot since the first deployment in 2015 (which, by the way for Star Wars fans, was deployed on May 4, 2015 – May the Fourth Be With You!).
Navigating complex spaces
Nearly three quarters of deployed K5 units patrol parking lots or parking structures. They handle ramps between levels just like vehicles do and use the same core technologies as self-driving cars to stay safe — LIDAR, sonar, accelerometers, and wheel encoders, let the robot detect and route around vehicles and other obstacles automatically.
And yes, it can read license plates while on patrol — from all four onboard cameras — giving your team a 360-degree record of who came and went. With a perfect memory.
Interacting with people, not just watching
What happens when someone walks up to the robot? It pauses, responds with a pre-set voice message like “Excuse me,” and reroutes around them to continue on its path. If needed, your team can even speak to the person remotely via the robot’s intercom, using the built-in call button and two-way audio system.
The robot isn’t just a passive observer: it’s part of your team’s real-world presence, capable of engaging visitors, deterring loitering, and offering a helpful voice when needed.
Weather? Bring it on
The K5 thrives outdoors. Whether it’s rain in the Northwest, snow in the Northeast, or scorching heat in the Southwest, it keeps patrolling. Units are actively deployed in every one of these conditions, and performing daily. We’ve operated well over 3 million hours across the country in all time zones through multiple summers and winters — we’ve seen it all.
The K5 is designed for solid surfaces. Think concrete, asphalt, marble, commercial-grade carpet. But we are cooking up something for the future to handle dirt, grass, loose gravel and light off-road usage. Stay tuned!
What this means for you
You don’t need to babysit the robot, plan for perfect conditions, or worry about people interfering with its patrol. The K5 is built for real sites, real weather, and real human interaction — all while capturing critical video and providing live updates to your team — or we can handle all that for you as well
Whether your site is a parking structure, hospital campus, or warehouse complex, the K5 is ready to handle what the environment throws at it.
Want to see how it would work at your location? Let’s talk.