Knightscope, a company known for its Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) such as the K5 and K7 models, is adjusting its operational strategy to include human security personnel. This change comes after several clients terminated contracts for the company's robotic security services. The company's revised approach, termed the "Autonomous Security Force," aims to combine autonomous systems with human expertise to address the complexities of physical security.
The shift follows instances where Knightscope's robots did not fully meet client expectations. For example, New York City ended a pilot program in 2024 that deployed a Knightscope robot in a Times Square subway station. Similarly, the city of Dublin, Ohio, concluded a two-year pilot with a Knightscope robot, "DubBot," after less than ten months, citing that the robot "did not fully meet our operational needs" and failed to identify criminal incidents or lead to arrests. Proof News, a nonprofit media outlet, identified at least 21 security robot deployments since 2015, with at least 13 of those programs ending. Knightscope secured the majority of these contracts and experienced the bulk of the cancellations.
Knightscope was founded in 2013 with a mission to enhance public safety through robotics and AI, motivated by events like the Sandy Hook School Shooting. The company's robots are designed to supplement human security teams by alerting them to suspicious activity, rather than directly intervening. These robots offer features such as 360-degree high-definition video, thermal imaging, detection of people and license plates, and two-way audio. Clients have typically paid an hourly rate for the machines, which is intended to be competitive with minimum wage rates for human guards.
Despite some reported successes, such as a drop in 911 calls at an apartment complex in Las Vegas after a Knightscope robot was deployed, the limitations of purely autonomous systems have become apparent. The company's new "Autonomous Security Force" model integrates autonomous systems for continuous coverage, software for data fusion and workflow orchestration, and human agents for event verification, ambiguity management, and response execution. Knightscope states that this hybrid model allows for the reallocation of human guards to roles where their judgment and intervention capabilities are more critical, such as daytime roles or incident response, while robots handle persistent monitoring.
This strategic adjustment is also reflected in Knightscope's recent acquisition of Event Risk LLC in February 2026. This acquisition brought licensed response, executive protection, and human expertise into Knightscope's operational structure, expanding its workforce from 90 to over 400 employees. The company's financial reports indicate a focus on improving gross margins and achieving profitability, with a reported net loss of $33.8 million in 2025 and an accumulated deficit of $227.0 million as of December 31, 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, Knightscope reported $6.0 million in revenue, a 106% increase year-over-year, with the acquired Security Force segment contributing $2.4 million of this revenue.
Knightscope is also investing in new product development, including the K7, a larger all-terrain unit designed for expansive outdoor environments, with limited series production expected to begin deployment in the second half of 2026. The company's filings with the SEC acknowledge recurring losses and a dependence on additional fundraising, indicating a "substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern." Despite these challenges, Knightscope's management expresses confidence in the long-term potential of its integrated security model, aiming to scale its operations and penetrate public safety, law enforcement, and security markets.