Robots Will Start Patrolling Jails

The police force in Georgia has a new employee that everyone is eager to see. It is not even human, but it generated enough buzz to atract the interest in this small town.

Last 23 October, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office announced that it will be launching a 90-day pilot program to improve security at an adult detention center, a press release details.

The DEKA Sentry Robots, which were created by DEKA Research & Development Corporation, will be part of the patrol force in the 10-acre property, and it will conduct security rounds in select dormitories as another layer of security, the release said.

"As security challenges evolve, law enforcement must move at the speed of innovation," Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens said in a statement. "We are committed to working smarter and are excited to bring robotics into our facility to improve our operations and support the overall safety of our detainees and staff."

Authorities will start with a fleet of three Sentry robots during the pilot phase, according to the release, and could potentially add more depending on how the program goes.

These robots were created to enhance security and eliminate "the risks associated with human intervention in dangerous situations," the release added.

"Autonomous systems and robotics are transforming every industry and security is no exception," Dean Kamen, founder, and president of DEKA, said in a statement. "What we have created with Sentry is a highly advanced system − and force multiplier − for correctional facility officers that sets a new standard for safety and operational efficiency."