ASSA ABLOY announces technical partnership with Boston Dynamics at GSX 2024

Sept. 23, 2024
ASSA ABLOY's new digital access solution enables Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open access-controlled automated doors autonomously.

ASSA ABLOY is working with Boston Dynamics to deliver the next step in strengthening security monitoring. Kicking off this year’s Global Security Exchange (GSX) in Orlando, ASSA ABLOY is introducing a new digital access solution that allows Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open accessed-controlled automated doors autonomously.

Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots perform autonomous patrols of property perimeters such as fence lines, exterior doors, and other critical assets located outside buildings. 

Equipped with PTZ industrial video camera, thermal, and audio sensor payloads, Spot robots provide continuous monitoring, streaming live data back to command centers, freeing up valuable personnel to focus on other vital security duties. Until now, however, the word “autonomous” didn’t apply to Spot’s ability to open accessed-controlled doors easily.

With embedded digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Signo readers from HID, an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, Spot can freely pass through compatible automated doors to patrol the exterior of facilities or to transit interior secured openings. 

According to Angelo Faenza, Head of Digital Access Solutions at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas, “As soon as Boston Dynamics presented us with the door access issue they were facing, we immediately jumped at the opportunity. It’s such a natural fit and has been a thoroughly symbiotic and successful collaborative endeavor. Security solutions, after all, are what we’re all about. It’s always a pleasure and privilege to work with such an exciting technology innovator like Boston Dynamics.”

“Our partnership with ASSA ABLOY quickly resulted in the creation of a logical and practical solution to overcome what was originally a tricky problem,” says Tim Dykstra, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Channel Sales for Boston Dynamics. “Today, ASSA ABLOY has made it incredibly easy for Spot to go where it needs to in order to perform its critical autonomous security patrols.” 

In addition to security operations, the new autonomous digital access capability will also be available for Spot’s industrial inspection applications.

See Boston Dynamics’ Spot and its ASSA ABLOY autonomous access control solution in action at ASSA ABLOY GSX Booth #1434 now through September 25.