Guest Editorial by Chris Wall, Sales Director for Rajant Corporation

Public safety and security organizations are continuously looking for greater operational efficiencies and cost savings. The likes of autonomous robotics solutions will expand the role that technology plays and deliver tangible benefits to those that deploy them.

Robotic and autonomous solutions continue to be utilized in security and public safety applications. However, widespread adoption remains to be seen.

Common misconceptions are prevalent, including the perception that the solutions are expensive, provide unreliable connectivity issues, and fear over how employees and the public may react.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are arming robots with the tools they need to be self-directed, insightful, and better at anticipating and responding to developing situations.

With robotics technology augmenting human resources, operational challenges can be addressed more easily. Enablement of this partnership between man and machine requires a highly reliable, cost-effective, and innovative wireless mesh network suitable to deploy mobile robotics in the public safety arena that supersedes the other options in the market.

(See how Rajant wireless technology enables an array of advanced public safety and industrial security applications in action with Vorbeck, Ghost Robotics, Dejero, and xCRAFT. Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube.) 

Robotics to the rescue

Robots deliver the most value when organizations have the flexibility to mobilize on demand. Technological mobility is paramount in all security deployments.

Fewer mobile, autonomous solutions can cover the same territory that previously would have used hundreds of detection points, cameras, and sensors.

The initial outlay of purchasing the robots is offset when considering the necessary amount of infrastructure required to support security devices required for comprehensive situational awareness.

Stakeholders may have a host of concerns regarding deploying robotics within their network, including how it will operate, solve the problem, and communicate and interoperate with other assets.

If technological challenges and performance limitations are evident, this can severely limit or even render the robots untenable. This would also negate all of the capabilities and features at their disposal.

Introducing a reliable and redundant wireless mesh network can quash any concerns. Highly secure and fluid communications between hundreds of devices are possible with wireless networking designed to support on-the-go connectivity.

(Learn How Rajants wireless solutions allow public safety and first responders to make life-saving decisions in the field. Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube.) 

Consistent and reliable coverage

Wireless mesh networks can deliver consistent, reliable coverage in any location, whether a crowded stadium or a sprawling environment with several buildings requiring connectivity.

It can overcome several challenges, including property size, topography, obstacles, weather conditions, or RF traffic.

Significantly, there is no wired infrastructure, no need to dig trenches to lay power, and no requirement to strategically position gateway access points for devices to connect through.

(Hear how partners from countries worldwide are disrupting how and where wireless networking is enabling autonomous equipment and applications. Full mobility, redundancy, and reliability customers can count on because “Rajant just works.” Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube. Posted on Aug 25, 2022.)

A network of several radios or nodes can automatically identify, transmit data between them, and adjust to find the fastest and most stable connections. Networks can be scaled up and down quickly and easily by adding or removing devices and their associated nodes.

Data can be seamlessly rerouted depending on the bandwidth needs, signal strength, or competing traffic. A network with machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity is a huge boost.

With mobile assets equipped with a transceiver, when these drones or robots move, the network supporting them moves with it.

Wireless mesh: Enhancing performance and reducing costs

A hacked robotic security device is a major problem for public safety and defense organizations. Bad actors could compromise the device’s sensing and reporting capabilities.

Interference with its physical operation can cause harm to those in proximity. Wireless mesh networks with encryption options should be a key consideration for decision-makers tasked with protecting their networks to offset cyberattacks.

When supporting unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), drones, or other robotic devices, it cannot be overstated how well the right wireless mesh networks measure up.

(Learn how all autonomous robotic platforms require continuous mobile connectivity over which to output real-time data and receive real-time input needed to perform their missions. If these links break, even momentarily, the robot stops running completely. That’s why they require Rajant Kinetic Mesh®—the network that is as mobile and autonomous as the robotics it enables. Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube.)

Typically, system engineers have utilized cellular or wireless point-to-point solutions to support drones and robots. But both are somewhat lacking. Certain locations cannot rely on cellular for autonomous solutions’ data demands.

For mission-critical security systems, inconsistent service during times of heavy traffic is unacceptable. Point-to-point wireless networks bring similar limitations. As it relies on communication towers that serve as communication gateways, any obstruction to the line of site between the towers and supported devices can be catastrophic.

It can also be challenging when establishing and maintaining a connection. If any tower goes down, then the signal connection is lost.

Therefore, redundancy can involve a considerable expense as a second continuous communication pathway must be maintained.

(Learn about the challenges of underground communications, and how success can happen with the proper technologies. Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube. Posted on Jan 20, 2022.)

The need for low-cost, low-latency transmissions

For a drone or swarm of drones, omnidirectional coverage over an extended area and the simultaneous provision of video surveillance and other situational data is required.

Similarly, ground and water vehicles need to be able to roam and move freely. A wireless mesh network can provide the reliable, redundant connectivity required to expand the network as assets move.

Moreover, a mesh structure ensures that there is no single point of failure, and support is provided for a wide range of frequencies so that bandwidth is always available.

Robots can be armed with cameras, two-way radios, and other sensors when used in security and public safety applications.

These systems not only need communications to move and navigate optimally, but they demand high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity.

Transmissions may be delayed if systems need to access cellular towers or transmit through the cloud to communicate between connected devices.

Real-world deployments

Stakeholders are increasingly looking to leverage mobile robotic solutions to replace more expensive static security infrastructure. Robotics can be deployed in heightened security environments that require more than just standard perimeter and building security systems.

Access to comprehensive situational awareness is vital when a perimeter breach occurs. But blanketing these sites with security technology can be challenging due to the potentially vast space if a hilly terrain or wooden area is prevalent.

(Enabling Continuous Mobile M2M Connectivity Anywhere – Autonomous systems and robotics are becoming operational necessities. Robots, like Boston Dynamics’ Spot, are being used more and more for working in environments that might not be suitable for humans. To keep Spot going anywhere, any time, and under any condition, Rajant enables continuous on-the-move connectivity for machine-to-machine (M2M). Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube. Posted on Jun 9, 2022.)

Wireless mesh networks can allow terrestrial robots or unmanned ground vehicles to patrol a location, including off-road. Any human patrol officers can access Wi-Fi easily as they navigate the environment.

Not only can the team securely communicate with each other, but the officers in the security operations center gain a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the overall state of security.

Tooling up for first responders

M2M connectivity can provide unbroken signal transmission independent of external networks.

This is key in an emergency or high system use, as there is consistent and highly reliable communication between the command center and all the network’s edge devices.

Robotics can improve the security posture of a wide range of scenarios, including emergency response and disaster recovery, when first responders do not have the essential resources available.

Technologies that can enhance efforts to determine the most significant damage, where victims may be, and how best to allocate resources are paramount.

Aerial technologies, thermal vision, ground-based robots with video surveillance technology, and a host of different sensors all assist these efforts. But they are dependent on unfailing connectivity.

(“Hot zone” (unsafe) to “cold zone” (safe) dynamic communication is critical when it comes to public safety. Rajant with Vorbeck makes this real-time assessment for first responders possible. Courtesy of Rajant Corporation and YouTube.)

Responders can immediately set up a wide-reaching network so they and their devices can move freely throughout the area.

Mobile command centers can also be set up in vehicles with the operation managed locally. Information is relayed back to a remote center to share key insights and enhance decision-making.

The right network infrastructure

Autonomous robotics solutions can expand technology’s role in delivering greater security and public safety, with more operational efficiencies and cost savings. But stakeholders must deploy them wisely to unlock reduced total cost of operations.

They need a networking design that delivers the expected functional outcome.

For deployments where machines will continuously be on the move, and fluid connectivity is required, stakeholders must evaluate their technology investments on how well they will work once installed within their intended environment.

One thing is certain, to achieve the successful security outcomes that organizations crave, a mobile and reliable network should be at the top of the list.

About the Author

As part of the dedicated North American sales team at Rajant, Chris Wall supports some of the company’s largest strategic customers around the world.

The experience provides him with unique global insight into complex international business models, working with different cultures, and refining customized programs for my ever-evolving, technology-driven, clientele.

“My goal is to deliver consistent service, quality, uniform pricing strategies, standardized solutions, and single-point-of-contact resources across the world,” explains Chris.

“I strive to be a unique and dependable technology partner focused on capabilities that help my customers globally scale and solve wired and wireless bandwidth delivery challenges in any region.”

“Whether you need support increasing bandwidth, maximizing existing capacity, improving network performance and availability, increasing energy efficiency, or simplifying technology migration – I can help.”

Rajant Corporation, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky, is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh® networking, BreadCrumb® wireless nodes, and InstaMesh® networking software.

With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence.

A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere.

Rajant Corporation has successfully deployed more than 75 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture.

To Learn More, please visit Rajant.com.