Robot Dogs Are Used To Guard Hyperscale Data Centers

Concerns about hyperscale data centers being built in Alabama range from the environmental consequences, the light pollution from the data centers, the literally deafening noise pollution from such data centers, the enormous water consumption of the hyperscale data centers, the huge power consumption of the AI hyperscale data centers, and the secrecy of public officials surrounding the development of such centers. Yet, in his unequivocal support for the construction of hyperscale data centers in Alabama, the republican gubernatorial nominee for Alabama, Coach Tommy Tuberville, has stated that AI is, " . . . going to create jobs as well as do away with jobs, but you've got to have data centers."

In fact, one of the criticisms of Alabama offering tax abatements and other inducements for Big Tech Carpetbagger hyperscale data centers to locate in Alabama the Beautiful is that once the data centers are built, they create very few long-term permanent jobs. In fact, some hyperscale data centers are even replacing human security guards at such facilities with robot dogs. With one of those robot dogs being the Vision 60 which has a retail price of $165,000 depending on the model.

Made by Ghost Robotics, the Vision 60 robot dogs have been used by data centers, "mainly for external perimeter security". Since it can patrol fence lines, look for holes in barriers, inspect suspicious packages, spot intruders, and send video feeds back into a control room. The Chief Growth Officer for Ghost Robotics, Michael Subhan, has stated that, "We know that the cost for a human guard is around $150,000, so we look at that return on investment. Instead of having two guards at $300,000, you can have one guard and a robot. And the robot obviously doesn't get sick or go on vacation and things like that." Sobhan is apparently unaware that electronics frequently go on the blink for no apparent reason.

Another aspect of the robot dogs that appeals to the hyperscale data center industry is their "mobile capacity". Since the hyperscale data centers tend to be built on massive complexes, not every aspect of the complex is covered by sensors or cameras. Yet, on a single command, the robot dogs can "travel several miles and in diverse weather conditions – an important factor as some data centers are built in hot climates." The Novva Data Centers company based out of Utah has stated that it uses the robot dogs to, "run pre-determined missions throughout the data center to collect data, monitor equipment, and report any unusual activity."

Another company that produces a robot dog called, "Spot", Boston Dynamics, states that their quadrupeds, "can conduct industrial inspection, site mapping, and construction monitoring." An aspect of Spot that can help facility managers more, "easily detect hazards, such as puddles or leaks." Spot has a perception of 360 degrees and, "athletic intelligence" according to Boston Dynamics. The price of Spot ranges from $175,000 to $300,000.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa attorney, poet, piano instructor, vocalist, reporter, and columnist who writes on current affairs, politics, and the arts.