What if the next security guard rolling past your office had one wheel and never needed a coffee break? That is the pitch behind 1Rollo, a one-wheeled AI security robot from Estonian startup Rollo Robotics. The company believes its narrow design could patrol large properties at a lower operating cost than traditional security vehicles.
The machine follows mapped routes while watching the area around it. When its artificial intelligence detects unusual activity, 1Rollo can alert a human operator. That person can review the situation and decide whether to send a security guard.
For now, 1Rollo remains a functional prototype. Rollo Robotics says it plans to make the robot commercially available in 2027. Therefore, its design and specifications could change before customers begin using it.
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1Rollo uses a 360-degree computer vision system to monitor its surroundings. It also relies on Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System positioning, known as RTK GNSS. RTK uses correction data to provide more precise positioning than standard satellite navigation. That precision could help the robot stay close to its assigned route around a business or industrial property. As the robot moves, its cameras and sensors look for obstacles. The system can then adjust its path to avoid a collision. Meanwhile, the AI analyzes the area for anomalies. If the system spots something unusual, it can send an alert over Wi-Fi or a 4G or 5G connection.
Keeping a 100-pound robot upright on one wheel takes more than a clever-looking design. Rollo Robotics uses a vertically positioned spinning flywheel inside the machine. The flywheel sits in line with the main wheel and helps the robot maintain its balance. To turn, the system tilts the internal flywheel toward either side. Rollo Robotics describes the hardware and software behind this method as patent-pending. The single-wheel design gives the robot a narrow footprint. As a result, it may travel through spaces where a wider patrol vehicle would struggle. However, Rollo Robotics has not published detailed performance results for stairs, steep slopes or deeply uneven ground. Those real-world tests will show where the monowheel design works best.
The company's current specifications list 1Rollo at about 43 inches tall. Its wheel measures 24 inches across, while the complete robot weighs approximately 100 pounds. Rollo Robotics lists a top speed of 19 mph. That is much faster than the walking pace of many existing security robots. Battery life reaches up to eight hours per charge, according to the company. The product information also lists autonomous wireless charging.
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The standard robot includes a 360-degree vision system. However, Rollo Robotics designed the platform to support additional equipment. Customers could add thermal cameras for low-light environments. The platform can also support pan-tilt-zoom cameras for viewing activity farther away. Other compatible equipment includes night vision, RFID systems and custom payloads. These options could help companies adapt the robot for a specific property.
A cloud-based management platform would allow operators to monitor multiple robots from one location. Security teams could define patrol routes and review performance through the platform. An operator could also watch a live feed after receiving an alert. The robot includes a microphone and speaker. Therefore, the operator could speak with someone near the machine without immediately sending a guard. We have seen a similar approach with the Ascento Guard autonomous security robot. That machine also patrols property while human operators handle serious incidents.
However, robots still need to prove they provide meaningful results. Dublin, Ohio, recently retired an AI robot cop that recorded no arrests during its parking garage pilot. That case does not predict how 1Rollo will perform. Still, it shows why customers should establish clear goals before deploying autonomous security technology.
Rollo Robotics plans to offer 1Rollo through a Robotics-as-a-Service model. Customers would subscribe to the service instead of buying the robot outright. According to CEO and co-founder Sander Sebastian Agur, the subscription would include access to current hardware, software updates and support. The model could remove a large upfront equipment expense. It may also make repairs and future upgrades easier for customers. Rollo Robotics says its goal is to reduce operating costs compared with relying on human guards or patrol vehicles. However, the company has not announced subscription pricing.
A connected robot may improve physical security while creating new digital concerns. 1Rollo uses wireless connections and a cloud platform. Therefore, customers should ask how the company encrypts camera feeds and protects operator accounts. They should also ask where recordings are stored. Clear deletion policies will become important for employees and visitors who appear on camera. Meanwhile, the robot needs a safe way to handle a lost internet connection. It should keep avoiding people and obstacles even when a remote operator cannot reach it. Buyers should also learn how Rollo Robotics delivers security updates. A compromised patrol robot could expose video or provide unauthorized access to its controls. Lawmakers have already raised similar concerns about autonomous machines. A proposed federal bill would restrict government use of some foreign robots over national security fears. Rollo Robotics operates in Estonia, but every connected robot deserves the same cybersecurity review.
You probably will not find a one-wheeled robot guarding people's driveway anytime soon. However, businesses could begin seeing machines like 1Rollo around warehouses or office campuses. Large private properties may also use them to cover areas that guards cannot watch continuously. The robot could handle repetitive patrols while people make decisions during an incident. That may also keep guards away from hazardous areas until they understand what is happening. Still, a moving camera can feel more intrusive than one mounted on a wall. Employees and visitors deserve to know when the robot records them. They should also know who can watch the footage and how long the company keeps it. Those answers should arrive before the robot begins its first patrol.
1Rollo looks unusual, but the idea behind it makes sense. A narrow autonomous machine could cover large properties without the bulk of a security vehicle. The human operator also remains part of the process. The robot detects activity and sends an alert, while a person decides what should happen next. However, the polished demonstration is only the beginning. Rollo Robotics still needs to show that 1Rollo can handle changing weather, crowded spaces and long shifts without constant assistance. Pricing will play a major role too. Businesses need to know whether the subscription saves money and delivers better security than existing systems.
Would a one-wheeled AI guard make you feel safer, or would you wonder who was watching every time it rolled past? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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