Security Robots Market

Market Definition

Security robots are autonomous or semi-autonomous machines designed to perform surveillance, intrusion detection, and site monitoring in various environments. These robots incorporate sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to identify potential security threats and alert human operators.

The market encompasses deployment across commercial, industrial, public, and critical infrastructure settings to enhance situational awareness and reduce reliance on manual security operations.

Security Robots Market Overview

The global security robots market size was valued at USD 14.23 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 16.00 billion in 2025 to USD 38.53 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 13.11% during the forecast period.

Market growth is propelled by the rising demand for automated surveillance and advanced threat detection across critical infrastructure, commercial spaces, and defense installations. Increasing concerns over public safety, rising crime rates and growing labor shortages in security personnel are prompting organizations to adopt autonomous security robots for continuous monitoring and rapid incident response.

Major companies operating in the security robots industry are Knightscope, Inc., BAE Systems, Boston Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Kabam Pte Ltd, Cobalt AI, Shark Robotics, QinetiQ, SMP Robotics, Thales, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., ReconRobotics, Inc., AeroVironment, Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., and Teledyne FLIR LLC.

Advancements in artificial intelligence and sensor technologies are improving robots’ ability to navigate complex environments, analyze data in real time, and detect anomalies with greater precision.

Security robots are being deployed for perimeter surveillance, intrusion detection, and hazardous material inspection across airports, data centers, manufacturing plants, and public spaces. This is accelerating product adoption among government agencies, private enterprises, and industrial operators globally.

• In March 2024, Draganfly Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Knightscope to integrate its drone technology with Knightscope’s autonomous security robots. The collaboration aims to combine aerial and ground surveillance, enhancing situational awareness, real-time monitoring, and faster threat detection through integration with Knightscope’s Security Operations Center.

Key Highlights

1. The security robots industry size was valued at USD 14.23 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.11% from 2025 to 2032.
3. North America held a share of 34.09% in 2024, valued at USD 4.85 billion.
4. The unmanned ground vehicle segment garnered USD 5.49 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The explosive detection segment is expected to reach USD 11.53 billion by 2032.
6. The residential segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.23% over the forecast period
7. Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.16% through the projection period.

Market Driver

Rising Demand for Continuous Surveillance & Rapid Incident Response

The progress of the security robots market is propelled by the increasing need for continuous surveillance and rapid incident response to strengthen safety and operational resilience. Rising concerns over crime, terrorism, and security breaches are fueling demand for real-time, uninterrupted monitoring solutions. Organizations are increasingly deploying autonomous robots to replace or support human patrols, ensuring consistent coverage and prompt anomaly detection.

This shift is further supported by growing reliance on automated systems that reduce human error, optimize resource allocation, and enable faster decision-making during security events. The focus on proactive threat management is fostering investments in advanced robotic platforms that enhance situational awareness and incident response capabilities, thereby accelerating market growth.

Market Challenge

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities and Data Privacy Concerns

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities and data privacy concerns present significant challenges to the adoption of security robots in sensitive environments. These robots continuously collect and transmit data such as video feeds, access credentials, and environmental analytics, making them potential targets for malicious cyber activities.

Unauthorized access to this information may compromise sensitive operations, expose organizations to regulatory penalties, and erode stakeholder trust. Additionally, the integration of security robots into broader enterprise networks increases the risk of system-wide threats through hacking or data interception.

Regulatory frameworks, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national data protection laws, impose stringent requirements on data storage, transmission, and protection.

To address these risks, manufacturers are investing in advanced encryption technologies, secure cloud infrastructures, and robust authentication protocols. Continuous software updates, network monitoring and cybersecurity training for operators are also being emphasized to safeguard data integrity and ensure the safe operation of security robots in critical environments.

Market Trend

Emerging Shift Toward Aerial Robotics for Perimeter Surveillance

Advancements in aerial robotics are transforming the security robots market by enhancing wide-area surveillance, operational efficiency, and response precision. Innovations in drone design, such as extended flight endurance, advanced stabilization, and multi-sensor payloads, enable consistent monitoring of large perimeters that are difficult to secure using ground-based systems alone. Equipped with high-resolution optical, thermal and infrared imaging, these aerial platforms provide real-time situational awareness across complex environments.

Autonomous navigation technologies, including obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight path optimization, further improve coverage consistency while reducing manual intervention. Integration with centralized command platforms allows seamless coordination with ground units, supporting rapid incident assessment and coordinated response.

These developments are streamlining perimeter security operations, lowering long-term monitoring costs, and expanding drone adoption across critical infrastructure, defense installations, industrial sites and public spaces.

• In February 2025, Mahindra Group and Anduril Industries partnered to develop autonomous maritime systems, artificial intelligence-powered counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies, and a sensor-fusion command and control platform. The collaboration focuses on modular autonomous underwater vehicles for security operations, advanced drone threat detection and neutralization systems, and an open application programming interface (API) for seamless sensor integration.

Security Robots Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Type	Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Unmanned Ground Vehicle, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
By Application	Spying, Patrolling, Explosive detection, Rescue operations, Firefighting, and Others
By End User	Military & Defense, Residential, and Commercial
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Type (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Unmanned Ground Vehicle, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle): The unmanned ground vehicle segment earned USD 5.49 billion in 2024, mainly due to its widespread use in perimeter security, hazardous material handling, and defense operations.
• By Application (Spying, Patrolling, Explosive detection, Rescue operations, Firefighting, and Others): The spying segment held a share of 21.38% in 2024, largely attributed to growing demand for covert surveillance, intelligence gathering and real-time monitoring in defense and security operations.
• By End User (Military & Defense, Residential, and Commercial): The military & defense segment is projected to reach USD 16.08 billion by 2032, owing to increasing investments in autonomous systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat support operations.

Security Robots Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

North America security robots market share stood at 34.09% in 2024, valued at USD 4.85 billion. This dominance is reinforced by the region’s strong defense budget, advanced technological capabilities, and the presence of leading security robot manufacturers.

Furthermore, growing investments in artificial intelligence, robotics research, and homeland security programs are accelerating the deployment of autonomous security systems across military, government and commercial sectors. The region’s focus on enhancing border security, critical infrastructure protection and public safety reinforces its leadership in the market.

Rising security threats, increasing adoption of unmanned systems in defense operations, and continuous innovations in autonomous navigation, sensor integration and real-time data processing further support regional market expansion.

• In September 2024, Knightscope, Inc. deployed its 5th-Gen K5 autonomous security robot at a hotel in Athens, Georgia, and a housing complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, enhancing safety through AI-driven patrols. The deployments expand its presence in hospitality and residential security.

The Asia-Pacific security robots industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 14.16% over the forecast period. This growth is propelled by increasing geopolitical tensions and rising investments in defense modernization. The region’s expanding industrial infrastructure and growing emphasis on critical infrastructure protection are contributing to the rising demand for autonomous security solutions.

Government initiatives aimed at strengthening border control, urban safety, and public surveillance are further fueling domestic market growth. Moreover, increased focus on artificial intelligence integration and the development of advanced robotics technologies is accelerating the adoption of security robots across Asia-Pacific.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the Rules and Procedures for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft regulates the use of drones for civil applications. It establishes safety, operational, and certification requirements for unmanned aerial vehicles used in security surveillance, inspection, and perimeter monitoring.
• In the U.S., Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems regulates the commercial use of drones. It provides guidelines on registration, operational limitations, pilot certification, and safety requirements for unmanned aerial vehicles deployed for security and surveillance applications.
• Globally, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 10218-1:2025 – Robotics – Safety Requirements oversees the design and safety of industrial robots. It establishes safety principles, functional safety requirements, and risk reduction measures to ensure the safe design, operation, and integration of robotic systems across manufacturing and automation environments.

Competitive Landscape

The security robots industry is characterized by the presence of several established defense contractors and emerging technology companies competing based on innovation, autonomous capabilities, and multi-domain integration. Key market participants are focusing on advancements in artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and autonomous navigation to enhance real-time threat detection, operational efficiency, and situational awareness.

• In October 2024, L3Harris Technologies introduced the Diamondback, a new autonomous reconnaissance and security ground vehicle, at the Association of the United States Army annual conference. The Diamondback features a modular, open architecture designed for rapid reconfiguration, high mobility, and scalability using commercial off-the-shelf components. Developed in partnership with Overland AI, it incorporates advanced off-road navigation technology to improve mission flexibility and lower operational costs.

Companies are investing in research and development to develop modular, scalable multi-sensor robotic platforms that address complex security challenges across defense, commercial and public safety sectors.

Furthermore, strategic collaborations with defense agencies, security service providers and technology firms, along with mergers and acquisitions, are being utilized to expand global reach, strengthen service offerings, and diversify product portfolios across unmanned ground, aerial, and underwater domains.

List of Key Companies in Security Robots Market:

• Knightscope, Inc.
• BAE Systems
• Boston Dynamics
• Northrop Grumman
• Kabam Pte Ltd
• Cobalt AI
• Shark Robotics
• QinetiQ
• SMP Robotics
• Thales
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• ReconRobotics, Inc.
• AeroVironment, Inc.
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Teledyne FLIR LLC

Recent Developments (M&A/Partnerships/Agreements/Product Launch)

• In May 2025, AeroVironment unveiled Red Dragon, a fully autonomous unmanned aircraft system designed for one-way attack missions in GPS-denied and communication-disrupted environments. Powered by AVACORE and SPOTR-Edge, it autonomously detects and classifies targets without satellite navigation, offering a scalable solution for air, land, and maritime operations in contested spaces.
• In June 2024, Knightscope, Inc. announced that a U.S. hotel chain signed two contracts for its K5 Autonomous Security Robots and RTX analyst services. The robots were deployed at hotels in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, patrolling parking areas and providing customized guest engagement.
• In May 2024, Milrem Robotics presented its THeMIS autonomous unmanned ground vehicle at the Defense Services Asia exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Designed for multi-role combat support, THeMIS is capable of handling logistics transport, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and direct combat missions. The vehicle has been operationally deployed in Ukraine and is also used by the Royal Thai Army. Featuring artificial intelligence-powered navigation, THeMIS operates autonomously to enhance mission efficiency and reduce the reliance on human personnel.
• In January 2024, Airbus Helicopters acquired Aerovel to enhance its  unmanned aerial system (UAS) portfolio with the Flexrotor VTOL platform. Capable of 12 to 14 hours of endurance, Flexrotor supports ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and operates autonomously from both land or sea with a compact footprint.