PENN Entertainment announced a partnership with Kinghtscope, Inc., to bring robot security to various PENN properties across the US, including Hollywood Casino in Aurora.
The machines – K5 Autonomous Security Robots, or “ASRs” – may remind some patrons of the “Doctor Who” Daleks. These robots, though, have a more updated look and a much friendlier “disposition,” insofar as a robot can have a disposition.
According to Knightscope’s announcement of the partnership, the ASRs “greet guests with a friendly voice” and serve as additional “eyes and ears” for existing (human) casino security teams. The ASRs also have two-way communication systems.
Aurora casino an early testing ground for robot security program
Hollywood Casino is one of the oldest Illinois casinos. Earlier this year, PENN secured approval from the Illinois Gaming Board to relocate its Hollywood Casino properties.
Hollywood Casino Aurora will move to a patch of land just off Highway 88 near the Chicago Premium Outlets and Fermilab – a particle physics and accelerator campus. Hollywood Casino Joliet will also move from its current riverboat location to the Rock Run Crossings development off Interstates 80 and 55. Both projects are expected to begin this year, and both projects give PENN prime position to offer online gaming in the state whenever online casinos in Illinois become legal.
More details of the ASRs
PENN has deployed fleets of ASRs at some properties to test the system, including at M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson, Nevada, and Ameristar Casino Hotel, Council Bluffs, Iowa. And now at Hollywood Casino in Aurora.
The robots move across a campus gathering security information. They move freely and share data in real time. They’re designed to assist security personnel and allow humans to speak with other humans using their system.
They have cameras that allow for 360-degree viewing and infrared technology. Right now, there’s precious few details as to how guests have responded to their presence.
William Santana Li, chairman and CEO at Knightscope, expects PENN to deploy more robots after testing the system at various sites.
“PENN Entertainment’s commitment to safety and the guest experience is extraordinary. We are overjoyed that we will be providing Knightscope technologies across its portfolio to protect the surge of guests arriving and departing from all of its properties daily.”
