Robotic dogs will guard data centers

Data center owners have begun to deploy four-legged robots to patrol their territories and monitor their infrastructure. These include robots from Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics, the demand for which has increased significantly as capacity for Task II has expanded.

Robots for Inspection and Security

Boston Dynamics offers the Spot model, focused on internal inspections. The robot is able to move over uneven surfaces, climb stairs and work in difficult conditions – with temperature changes and dust.

The device is equipped with sensors to detect equipment overheating, leaks, water accumulation and abnormal sounds in server rooms. Depending on the configuration, the cost is from 175 to 300 thousand dollars. According to the manufacturer’s estimates, the payback period is about 18 months.

For perimeter security tasks, Ghost Robotics is promoting the Vision 60 model. The robot transmits video in real time and is used. The base price is about $165,000.

Economics and application scenarios

The use of robotic systems is perceived as a way to optimize costs. Maintaining one security guard can cost companies up to $150,000 per year, taking into account shift work and social costs. The robots work continuously and do not require a shift schedule.

At the same time, operators emphasize that this is not a complete replacement of personnel. Humans remain responsible for decision-making and incident response, while robots perform routine monitoring tasks.

An additional benefit is the expanded coverage area. Unlike fixed cameras, mobile systems can move around the territory and perform regular patrols along predetermined routes, which is relevant for facilities with an area of ​​​​tens of acres.

Implementation practices

Novva Data Centers is already using Spot robots at a facility in the state of Utah with an area of ​​about 139 km². The devices collect data on the condition of the infrastructure, inspect equipment and record anomalies.

Thermal imaging sensors allow you to detect overheating of power systems and cooling failures before emergencies occur.

According to industry estimates, there are about 5 thousand data centers operating in the United States, with up to a thousand more facilities under construction. This creates a constant demand for automated monitoring and security systems for infrastructure with high energy consumption.