Assa Abloy partners with Boston Dynamics to let the dogs in

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One of the biggest lock companies in the world is making an access panel system that allows for robot entry.

By Umar Shakir, a news writer fond of the electric vehicle lifestyle and things that plug in via USB-C. He spent over 15 years in IT support before joining The Verge.

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blue robot dog entering a door with an access panel on the wall and a QR code.

You’ve probably seen those door access panels before.
Image: Assa Abloy

Assa Abloy, the major Swedish conglomerate who owns a whole lot of door and security companies like August Home and the non-US version of Yale, is partnering with Boston Dynamics to build a new digital door access system that enables Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots autonomous entry into secured areas. The two intend to make it easier for companies to implement a robot security dog that can patrol buildings unfettered inside and outside.

Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot has been equipped with digital access credentials that use Bluetooth to communicate with Assa Abloy’s HID-branded Signo readers, making it easy for the bots pass through auto-opening doors. No need to tap a paw on the panel.

Some companies like Asylon Robotics built their own custom Spot “DroneDog” (spotted at the Atlanta Falcons’ stadium) that can also enter secured areas. But Assa Abloy has one of the world’s largest install bases of door access systems already. Working closely with Boston Dynamics might mean a normalized future of robot patrol guards is coming faster than we think.

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