One of America’s most hated companies hired a security robot. It didn’t go well

Maybe one robot give you peace of mind?

This, for a while, was a conundrum surrounding my inner workings.

If robots are very smart — and some certainly are — then they can protect us from all kinds of intrusions and nefarious threats. From other robots, eg.

So when I first heard that a company called Knightscope was making security robots to patrol buildings, I was unusually emotional.

How will the local, incompetent people react? I learned this quickly when a human has been accused of attacking one of these at the company’s private office in Mountain View, California.

However, I continue to receive emails from the company, as the company’s business seems to be thriving. Even if one of its security robots fell into a mall fountain.

Recently, however, I heard that a local company — a company where many angry customers — hired one of Knightscope’s rolling software sheriffs.

The California utility company PG&E has become notorious for its arrogance, monopoly its attitude and role in devastating fires. In 2020, its CEO stand up and confess to 84 cases of involuntary manslaughter during the Camp Fire in northern California.

So I’m not entirely surprised that PG&E decided to use an autonomous security robot at yard 19 and Folson Street in San Francisco and the locals are less entertained.

One resident told Mission Local: “Homeless people have been using these sidewalks for a while now, and the robot annoys anyone trying to do as much as just standing here.”

Then there’s the noise. A good security guard knows how to tread lightly. However, the Knightscope robot produces surreal, spatial sounds, as if it were auditioning for Doctor Who.

One local said: “We can hear the annoying sound the robot makes throughout the day, even when we’re trying to sleep at night.”

Then perhaps the locals would cheer to hear that the test of the security robot — which allegedly saved PG&E $9 an hour — was over.

Spokesperson for PG&E told the San Francisco Standard: “Following some initial testing of the Knightscope device and proactive discussions with the city on the matter, PG&E will not continue with our plan to deploy the device at our Folsom site.”

Is it possible that human discomfort really won over day — and night? PG&E may be so sensitive about its bad brand image that it decides to save a little money — something their customers won’t do this winter — isn’t it worth the fuss?

I’ve asked Knightscope about its view and will update if I hear a beep in my driveway.

Also: Best of CES 2023: 6 innovations that will shape the future

All of this reminds me of the wonderful experiment with war robots.

The US Marines have experimented with using Boston Dynamics’ robotic dogs to carry equipment and perform other essential tasks, thereby reducing the military’s load.

There is a small problem. Robot dogs make too much noise as they clatter and jingle on the battlefield that they gave away Marines positions.

Some robot ideas sound great in theory. But humans have certain emotional parameters that are not always considered by robot manufacturers.

Because, of course, it takes a rare brain to consider: “Wait, if this thing makes funny noises at night, it might wake the neighbors.”