Security Robot FAQ: Decision Basis Before Procurement

Plant managers and security leads face three options: a staffed guard service, fixed-installed technology, mobile robotics. Each option carries its own cost curve, its own legal frame and its own operational limit. This FAQ addresses the buyer side and sorts questions by cost, law, technology, operational limits, contract and KRITIS.

Answers stay short. Two to four sentences per question, closed prose, no marketing formulas. The reference models are QR-1, QR-2, QR-3 with concrete price and sensor profile. Anyone who copies the text into a template for the quarterly meeting has a defensible decision basis. For the TCO comparison see the companion guard service cost comparison.

Cost of a Security Robot per Month

What does the QR-1 cost?

3,200 € per month. Profile: indoor and light outdoor patrol, RGB camera plus audio anomaly detection. Suited for logistics halls, administration wings and covered outdoor areas up to 400 m of patrol line.

What does the QR-2 cost?

3,500 € per month. Profile: 24/7 outdoor, thermal sensor, person detection at night and in fog. Standard configuration for perimeter and open terrain with fence lines over 800 m. Details at QR-2 for 24/7 outdoor patrol.

What does the QR-3 cost?

3,800 € per month. Profile: LiDAR plus drone detection, designed for KRITIS sites with airspace risk. Highest sensor density in the fleet, fit as lead unit in mixed configurations. Details at QR-3 with drone detection.

How does this compare to a staffed Posten?

A staffed 24/7 Posten costs between 15,000 € and 25,000 € per month depending on tariff zone and shift factor (source: BDSW Zahlen, Daten, Fakten). The comparison base comes from the tariff and hourly structure of commercial security, documented by the BDSW. Three QR-2 do not replace one Posten one-to-one on paper, they shift personnel cost onto intervention cases.

What costs come on top?

None. No CapEx, no separate maintenance fees, no update licences. Minimum term 24 months, delivery 48 hours after contract signature (see RaaS service description). The model is balance-sheet neutral and plannable.

Legal Basis for Autonomous Guard Robots in Germany

Which EU regulation is relevant?

The EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 covers autonomous machines with self-learning function and applies mandatorily from January 2027. Manufacturers must align risk assessment, conformity and technical documentation with the new regulation. Operators check CE conformity at procurement.

Which norm applies to mobile service robotics?

EN ISO 13482 is the reference norm for mobile service robots with person interaction. It regulates personal care robots but serves in practice as reference for security robots in mixed-traffic areas. Quarero models are tested against this norm.

How is video recording on a plant site justified?

GDPR Art. 6(1)(f) justifies video recording with a documented balancing of interests. Site protection weighs against the personal rights of employees. The balancing must be in writing and reviewed regularly. Retention periods, purpose limitation and access concept must be documented.

When must the works council be involved?

The introduction of technical equipment for behavioural and performance monitoring triggers co-determination under § 87 (1) No. 6 BetrVG. Security robots with person detection fall under this. A works agreement before pilot launch avoids later objections.

What applies to KRITIS sites?

In addition to GDPR, the BSI-KritisV and the KRITIS Umbrella Act (KRITIS-Dachgesetz) apply. BSI-KritisV sets the thresholds above which a company qualifies as KRITIS operator. The KRITIS-Dachgesetz defines physical protection measures, evidence duties and sector scope.

Sensor Requirements by Site Type

Logistics hall with 24/7 personnel traffic?

QR-1 with RGB camera and audio anomaly is sufficient. The climate-controlled environment removes the need for thermal sensors. Audio anomaly covers glass breakage, raised voices and machine faults.

Open terrain with fence line above 800 m?

QR-2 with thermal sensor is mandatory. RGB optics lose too much resolution in fog and darkness. Thermal imaging detects persons up to 80 m, independent of visibility (manufacturer spec: QR-2 technical data sheet).

KRITIS site with airspace risk?

QR-3 with LiDAR and drone detection. LiDAR delivers three-dimensional situational data independent of the light spectrum. Drone detection addresses the airspace risk named in the KRITIS-Dachgesetz and produces an audit trail.

Can a mixed deployment be run?

Yes. One QR-3 as lead unit plus two QR-2 as sweepers covers a 30-hectare area with staggered sensor density. Sensor fusion runs on-edge, data transmission to the control room is encrypted. Operational detail at perimeter protection in the industrial park.

Operational Limits of the Robot Fleet

Can robots climb stairs?

No. Stair climbing is not part of the fleet feature set. The robots operate on drivable surfaces: asphalt, gravel, hall floor, ramps up to 15 degrees gradient (manufacturer spec: fleet technical data sheet). Multi-storey buildings are covered by elevator integration or separate units per level.

How do the robots behave in winter?

Snow depth above 12 cm reduces patrol speed. Above 25 cm the deployment pauses and the control room receives a status message (manufacturer spec: QR-2 technical data sheet). Clearing patrol paths remains the operator's duty, as with fixed-installed sensors.

Do robots replace an intervention force?

No. The robot verifies alarms and reports, it does not replace an intervening security force. Detention, removal orders and physical intervention stay with human personnel, anchored in §34a GewO. The escalation chain is defined in the contract.

What happens in steel halls with radio shadow?

Radio shadow in steel halls is compensated through additional access points. The site walk identifies critical zones, the onboarding team installs the network density before patrol launch. On permanent signal loss the robot continues to patrol on a cached route profile.

Structure of the Robotics-as-a-Service Model

What does the monthly rate include?

Hardware, software updates, replacement unit on failure and liability insurance are included. The rate is OpEx, the balance sheet stays unburdened. The Robotics-as-a-Service model shifts the residual value risk to Quarero.

How long is the minimum term?

24 months. After that the contract is terminable quarterly. This structure amortises the onboarding cost and gives the operator operational flexibility after expiry.

Can the sensor profile change during the term?

Yes, against a surcharge. A move from QR-1 to QR-2 typically follows seasonal changes or shifted threat profiles. The swap takes 48 hours, the onboarding effort drops out on an identical patrol profile.

Who is the contracting party?

A German GmbH with jurisdiction in the DACH region. Contract language German, invoicing in euro. Data hosting in German data centres, documented in the data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR.

Security Robots for KRITIS Operators: Fit and Requirements

Which model meets KRITIS requirements?

The QR-3 is designed for the requirements of the KRITIS-Dachgesetz. Sensor profile, logging and interface to BSI reporting are preconfigured. A selection aid is provided in the KRITIS-Dachgesetz checklist.

How does the robot meet the evidence duty?

Gapless patrol documentation with timestamp, route profile, sensor event and escalation decision. The data is tamper-resistant in storage and exportable on demand to BBK and the responsible authority. The audit trail meets the NIS-2 requirements on physical access layers.

How is the airspace risk addressed?

The QR-3 detects drones via acoustic signature and LiDAR reflection. Detection addresses the airspace risk named in the KRITIS-Dachgesetz but does not replace a Counter-UAS system. Reporting goes to the control room and the connected Counter-UAS infrastructure.

What is the effect on board liability?

NIS-2 Article 21 requires documented risk management of physical access layers. Robotics produces a machine-readable audit trail that evidences the measure chain. Board liability under NIS-2 falls with every documented and demonstrably effective measure.

Pilot Project Workflow

Who attends the site walk?

Marcus Köhnlein accompanies the site walk personally. Within five working days the sensor profile recommendation is ready. It contains the route proposal, sensor configuration and escalation design. Schedule a date via request a pilot with Marcus Köhnlein.

How fast is delivery?

48 hours after contract signature. The supply chain is built for short reaction time, because security situations rarely allow weeks of lead time. The units arrive ready for deployment, calibrated and tested.

How long does onboarding take?

Two working days on site. Patrol map, geofence, escalation chains and interfaces to the control room are calibrated together with the security lead. Security staff is trained on operation and escalation logic.

How tight is the reporting?

Weekly in the first 30 days, monthly thereafter. Reports contain patrol kilometres, event classes, escalation decisions and recommendations on route or sensor adjustment. Escalation chains to the in-house guard service or external control room are defined in the contract.

Anyone who carries these answers into the quarterly memo has the cost anchor, legal basis, sensor matrix and contract structure documented. The next step is the site walk. Trigger the request via request a pilot with Marcus Köhnlein, appointment within five working days.