Best Security Robot for Business in 2026: Patrol Robots Compared

We have not deployed these robots on our own sites. Our picks are based on:

• Manufacturer and service provider information on capabilities, buying models and deployment scale.
• Published prices from named resellers where available. Most security robots are quote-only.
• Industry analysis of what security robots can and cannot do.
• Track record, including products that have been withdrawn. Amazon's Astro for Business, for example, was discontinued in 2024 less than a year after launch, with customers refunded.

Can: patrol a set route day and night, stream and record video, use thermal cameras to spot people in the dark, check doors and gates, play warning messages, and alert a remote operator.

Cannot: detain or arrest anyone, make judgement calls in a confrontation, or replace a trained officer's presence. AGV Network's analysis notes robots cannot yet replace human operators and are best seen as an additional barrier. Wi-Fi coverage outdoors and lighting for camera navigation are common practical limits.

There are three main ways to pay:

• Managed service. A monthly or annual fee covering robots, software, maintenance and often remote monitoring. Knightscope and Asylon work this way. AGV Network cites around $8,000 a month as a typical rental figure, but gives no source, so treat it as a rough guide only.
• Buy plus software subscription. SMP Robotics offers full purchase or hardware purchase with a quarterly software subscription, as well as leasing.
• Buy outright. Quadrupeds such as the Pudu D5 ($34,500) and DEEP Robotics Lynx M20 ($57,600) have published reseller prices, but you will usually need to add security software and monitoring.

When comparing, ask what is included: cameras, analytics, video storage, remote operators, maintenance, replacement units and insurance.

A security robot rarely makes sense as a straight swap for a guard. The better question is what mix of guards, fixed cameras, alarms and robots gives the coverage you need at the lowest total cost.

1. List the patrols you need, by time of day and route length.
2. Cost the current approach: guard hours, call-outs and false alarm costs.
3. Cost the robot option, including contract fees, monitoring and the guard hours you still need.
4. Value the extras: consistent patrol logs, video evidence and fewer risky night patrols for staff.

Ask providers for anonymised incident data from similar sites, not just marketing case studies.

Wheeled patrol robots, like Knightscope's fleet and SMP's S5.3, suit car parks, paved yards, corridors and campuses. They are generally simpler to run and can carry larger batteries and camera masts.

Legged robots (quadrupeds), such as Boston Dynamics Spot, the Pudu D5 and DEEP Robotics Lynx, can handle kerbs, cables and rough ground that would stop a wheeled robot. They cost more to maintain and usually need a remote operator for best results.

Many sites end up with a mix: fixed cameras for constant coverage, a wheeled robot for routine tours and human guards for response.

1. Who watches the alerts, and how fast do they respond?
2. How does the robot behave if someone blocks, pushes or vandalises it?
3. What happens during rain, snow, heat or low light?
4. How long is video stored, where, and who can access it?
5. What uptime do you guarantee, and do you supply a replacement unit during repairs?
6. What is the minimum contract length, and what are the exit terms?
7. Can the robot integrate with our existing cameras, access control and alarm systems?
8. Can we speak to a current customer with a similar site?

Security robots collect video and sometimes number plates or faces. In the UK, that means UK GDPR applies, and you should run a data protection impact assessment, put up clear signs and set retention periods. In the US, rules vary by state, particularly for facial recognition and audio recording. Check with your insurer and, for public areas, your local authority before deployment.