Robot guards to patrol shops and offices

A Japanese company has produced a robot to function as a guard keeping burglars out of shopping malls, offices, shops, and - in the longer run - maybe private homes.

The robot is programmed to follow predefined routes, and is equipped with sensors and cameras. Upon encountering something suspicious the 1.09m robot will contact human guards via a radio, and can also send them footage.

The producer, security firm Sohgo Security Services Co., expects to have the first robots patrolling within a year.

Robots are believed to become popular in many sectors as the demography of industrialized countries change towards more elderly people, and young people will become in demand in positions that cannot easily be overtaken by robots.