An autonomous security robot that has drawn criticism in other cities is getting a test run at San Antonio International Airport.
San Antonio City Council on Thursday approved a 12-month contract with Knightscope Inc. for a robot service tasked with responding to security alarms at improperly opened doors.
The California-based company recently had a pilot program in New York City’s subway system cut short after officers had to be assigned to chaperone the 400-pound device, which was supposed to help monitor for crime. Several years ago one ran over a toddler in a California mall.
On Thursday, members of the City Council voted to separate the security robot contract from a larger package of contracts so that members could question airport officials about their plans for its use.
Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) said he was primarily worried about the proliferation of robots for surveillance.
Additionally, he said, “Many other cities across the country have purchased these devices from Knightscope specifically with a goal to be innovative, but they proven ineffective and, in many cases, dangerous, leading them to end their contracts.”
Director of Airports Jesus Saenz said San Antonio is testing a new potential use for the robot that’s unlike the failed program in New York.
Rather than having it interact with the public, Saenz said, the robot would be located in secured areas, where it will help airport staff to identify and respond to alarms.
“Daily, we have door alarms that are opened inappropriately, inaccurately or by accident, and it requires a response, based on the federal regulations that we have to adhere to, to maintain an overall security posture of the airport,” Saenz said.
The robot would communicate with the airport’s command center personnel so that an official could look at the badge of the person who set off the alarm and ensure the staff member is cleared for access.
Other council members raised questions about whether the robot would be collecting and storing any data that could pose a security threat and whether it would replace any human workers.
Saenz said the city already uses quite a bit of technology for surveillance in public parts of the airport, and the intention wasn’t to replace employees with robots.
After a roughly 45-minute discussion, the council voted 7-3 in favor of the contract. McKee-Rodriguez, Adriana Rocha Garcia (D4) and Teri Castillo (D5) voted against it.
The service costs $21,000 per year, and the agreement includes four potential one-year renewal options.
But Saenz characterized the deal as a pilot subscription that “can be terminated at any moment.” The contract could be scrapped after as few as 30 days if it’s not working, he said.
“I like that it’s such a short time period that we’re assessing,” said Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (D1). “With technology, it can change so quickly. It puts some pressure on them to be responsive.”
Knightscope has a new board of directors, and recently received authority to do business with the federal government.
The company is expected to send someone out every two weeks to service the robot at San Antonio’s airport, and Saenz said it will be supervised by an employee in the early stages.
