Security Robot Market Size & Outlook, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global security robot market size was valued at USD 16.56 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 45.78 billion in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 14.70% over the forecast period (2024-32). Increasing instances of security breaches, terrorist activities, and criminal threats globally drive the demand for enhanced security measures. Security robots provide continuous surveillance and monitoring capabilities, offering real-time threat detection and response, which traditional security measures may struggle to match

Robots with locomotive capabilities, or "security robots," can gather data for security-related goals and, in some circumstances, take appropriate action using this data. Radars, cameras, thermal sensors, infrared devices, and other sensors, among others, are used to gather this data. Several developments are indicating a potential future scope for security robots. The development and improvements of deep learning and neural network technology have also allowed these robots to train over time and enhance their functionality.

These robots can be used on challenging terrains and environments to perform surveillance and other actions based on analytics. Including multiple sensors has also improved robots' capabilities in analyzing their environment and offering much more reliable data. This has substantially benefitted their incorporation into military devices. Also, these robots' remote-sensing abilities (including wireless sensors) are expected to grow in their residential and commercial uses.

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Market Dynamics

Security Robot Market Driving Factors

Increased Use of Robots in Security Applications to Favor Market Growth

Security robots, including drones, are significantly used in security and surveillance applications. In security applications, the flying devices help with site surveys, locate ideal camera placement, remotely monitor perimeters, etc. The advantages of drones are their maneuverability and small size. They can act autonomously while sending back analysis and real-time information to human professionals. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aka drones, are used by the military more frequently due to their ability to spot risky locations and discover security and terrorism-related problems.

UAVs are the modern-day force multiplier that can improve the capacity of security forces to thwart terrorism and address new threats to homeland security and defense. Furthermore, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are also expected to bring significant changes to undersea warfare, from long-range and endurance attack and surveillance operations amid minefields and enemy submarines to striking the undersea, surface, or land targets with improved targeting at long ranges. This is poised to increase the applications of such robots in the navy. Consequently, the factors mentioned above drive the global security robot market.

Rising Safety Concerns to Foster Market Growth

The increasing crime rate worldwide is leading to rising safety concerns, which, in turn, is expected to drive the demand for security robots. Many public and private entities worldwide seek cost-effective ways to deter crime and protect people and property. From neutralizing threats in real-time to capturing data for forensic investigation, autonomous systems can effectively detect and discourage trespassers, vandals, theft, and break-ins.

The use of security robots amidst the rising safety concerns is rapidly expanding, such as the physical presence of a security robot on a property can serve as a deterrent to a potential crime. Additionally, the continuous technological innovation has resulted in cases where the data provided by robots has become the primary evidence in prosecution. A large-scale crime can happen anytime, anywhere, and for the safety of people, robots could help fulfill that need, serving as the first line of defense. Therefore, these applications drive the robot security robot market.

Security Robot Market Restraining Factors

Concerns about Privacy and Intrusion to Restrict Market Growth

Security robots are slowly being used in several places, such as offices, malls, and public spaces. However, while these bots are often presented as replacements for human security guards, like friendly robots on patrol, they are collecting far more data than humans could, resulting in concerns related to privacy and intrusion. While scanning an area using cameras, LiDAR, and optional thermal imaging, security robots also scan for wireless devices. This capability can make the robot discreetly track individuals in its proximity, regardless of whether it could identify their faces.

These technologies, especially automatic license plate readers and facial recognition, have been repeatedly decried by privacy activists for invasive and unlawful overreach when used by police. Multiple cities in the United States, such as San Francisco, Oakland, and Somerville, MA, have all banned police use of facial recognition outright. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has documented five local governments that have halted the procurement or the usage of automatic license plate readers regarding privacy concerns. Such factors hamper the market growth.

Security Robot Market Opportunities

Improved Investments by Governments to Boost Market Opportunities

The global security robot market is anticipated to flourish due to governments’ improved investments to keep troops out of harm and serve as force multipliers on future battlefields. For instance, Gen. John "Mike" Murray, the Army Futures Command's commanding general, stated that robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence would alter the nature of battle in the following decades. The service's portfolio includes small unmanned aerial systems, ground robots, logistical trucks, combat vehicles, and soldier-worn exoskeletons.

According to his presentation slides, funding increased from USD 17 million in the fiscal year 2015 to USD 379 million in 2021. These services enhance situational awareness, reduce soldiers' physical and mental burdens, enhance sustainment, facilitate movement and maneuver, and safeguard the force. Currently, the Army is engaged in roughly 20 robotics programs, which is anticipated to grow significantly throughout the forecast period. Such investments produce profitable market opportunities.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global security robot market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Surpasses Other Regions

North America accounts for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period. The United States security and surveillance forces are adopting unmanned systems more often due to their benefits, such as quality and dependability. Along with a rise in terrorist attacks in public places and schools during the past ten years, there have been more ongoing disagreements around the nation. The country will experience an increase in the requirement for security robots due to these territorial disputes and geopolitical instabilities. The growth in terrorist operations is also projected to increase security worries nationwide, increasing the demand for security service robots. Unmanned vehicles are finding a way into defense forces in the country for various operations, such as ammunition, sensor deployment, mine countermeasure, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare, among others. Also, the defense agency in the country is actively investing in developing unmanned vehicles, which further contributes to the market growth. 

Europe holds the second-largest market share and is predicted to reach USD 7 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.6%. As among the top regions in Europe, Germany contributes significantly to global military and aerospace spending. Major defense producers based in Germany include Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG, Rheinmetall AG, and others, significantly accelerating the development of defense technologies and production rates through domestic and foreign investments, partnerships, and collaborations, etc. Additionally, Germany is increasing its funding for several space programs and collaborating closely with the European Space Agency (ESA). Germany said in 2019 that it would contribute close to USD 3.7 billion to ESA's space programs between 2020 and 2022. Such instances are expected to drive the demand for security robots in the region

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region. China has been at the forefront of developing robotic systems with artificial intelligence (AI), especially those focusing on defense and national security. The military robotics industries in the country are rapidly growing in size and quality as the country upgrades its military capabilities. The government has been highly focused on exporting defense-based AI robotic systems incorporating typical security functions such as facial recognition and mass surveillance. UAVs are finding a way into defense forces in the country for many operations, such as ammunition, sensor deployment, mine countermeasure, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare, among others.

A research study conducted by a team from the Center of Marine Information Technology and Engineering at Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and published in 'Ocean Engineering' indicated the development of a method aimed at improving the endurance of autonomous underwater vehicles. Remus 100 AUV and SUB OFF, used as the research objects, have conducted simulation and comparison tests under multiple conditions. Considering the developments mentioned above, the demand for these robotic systems is expected to be significant during the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global security robot market is segmented by type, end-user, application, and region.

By Type

By type, the global security robot market is segmented Into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Unmanned Ground Vehicles, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) account for the largest market share and are estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% over the forecast period. An unmanned aerial vehicle is an aircraft that carries no human pilot or passengers. UAVs have various uses, including surveillance, bomb detection, surveying, mapping, flight dynamics, computer vision, civil engineering, and many more. The minor categories of UAVs frequently come with ground-control stations made of laptop computers and other parts that can be conveniently transported with the aircraft in backpacks, small boats, or other vehicles. Thus, driving the demand of the market.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles are the second largest segment. The growth of the market, coupled with technological developments, enables companies to develop and innovate products. For instance, in July 2020, Virginia Tech researchers at the Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics partnered with Boston-based Dive Technologies to support the development and testing of a novel autonomous underwater vehicle with innovative vehicle design, state-of-the-art control, software and autonomy systems. This multi-year collaboration provides an opportunity to apply research discoveries and innovative technology developed in the academic lab and deploy them in next-generation commercial applications. Such examples depict a significant demand for these robots, and the market will likely grow over the forecast period.

By End-User

By end-user, the global security robot market is segmented into Defense & Military, Residential, and Commercial.

Defense & Military accounts for the largest share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% over the forecast period. Military and battlefield applications will continue to thrive due to rising demand, further fueled by government investments. The studied segment is anticipated to experience considerable growth during the forecast period due to the rise in defense spending globally and technological advances.

The Commercial segment is the fastest growing. The security robots' applications in the commercial sector include security in shopping malls, corporate offices, hotels, museums, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, banks, retail stores, and industries such as oil & gas and mining. Further, in the commercial sector, UGVs are deployed to carry out rescue operations during disasters, handle hazardous chemicals, and patrol the perimeter of dangerous areas. With the increased budget for commercial security spending and the availability of a largely untapped market, the security robots sector is anticipated to grow significantly.

By Application

By application, the global security robot market is segmented into Spying, Explosive Detection, Patrolling, Rescue Operations, and Others.

The Patrolling segment accounts for the largest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period. Patrol robots are considered more effective than security guards as they are deployed at the vital parts of the territory of the guarded facility. Advanced robots are equipped with an intelligent video surveillance system capable of recognizing and tracking people by PTZ and panoramic cameras. These robots fitted with IR cameras can detect a human being hundreds of yards away, either during the day or at night. They can also patrol non-lit areas as a thermal video camera does not need lighting to operate at night. In February 2021, Boston Dynamics announced that their robotic dog, Spot, is becoming more self-sufficient. Spot Enterprise, a new model of the robot with a charging stand to top off its batteries without requiring human involvement, has been introduced by the business. Such events are predicted to increase demand and have a favorable effect on the market.

List of key players in Security Robot Market

1. Lockheed Martin Corporation
2. Elbit Systems Limited
3. Leonardo SpA
4. AeroVironment Inc.
5. Northrop Grumman Corporation
6. Knight Scope
7. Thales SA
8. BAE Systems PLC
9. DJI
10. SMP Robotics
11. Boston Dynamics Inc.
12. FLIR Systems Inc.
13. Kongsberg Gruppen
14. QinetiQ
15. RoboTex Inc.
16. Recon Robotics Inc

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Recent Developments

• May 2024 - SU Group Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: SUGP), a Hong Kong-based company that provides security-related engineering services, announced a partnership with SquareDog Robotics, Ltd., a technology company in Hong Kong that specializes in robotic automation. SU Group and SquareDog Robotics intend to collaboratively create an advanced robotic security patrolling system that incorporates artificial intelligence.
• January 2024 - The Knightscope K5, a 5-foot-5-inch, 420-pound autonomous security robot (also known as "ASR"), was added to the security team at U.S. Bancorp Tower in downtown Portland. Knightscope, Inc. ("Knightscope" or the "Company"), a leading developer of autonomous security robots and blue light emergency communication systems, announced that Unico Properties LLC, a real estate investment and operating company, has advanced its security at the building.