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Wi-Fi Security Robots?
John Hering writes "It was bound to happen.... Security Robots that are "Wi-Fi" enabled and capable of enterprise-grade tasks. Details have emerged about a robotics platform that combines cutting edge security and wireless technologies and is capable of integration with buildings' central heating and cooling systems, security systems, air quality controls, wi-fi networks, and even lighting and power systems to provide valuable building services and emergency back-up. It can even greet guests, guide them to their destinations or lead building tours! Similar projects in the past have pushed these robotics technologies forward and spawned numerous new projects , especially amongst the linux community."
Has anybody thought about the security flaws/exploits that would obviously be a problem with such a device? Im not so sure Id want such an extensive robot so open to potential attacks/interference.
Forget doors, I'm worried that someone will get the idea of giving these things laser rapiers...
To be truely secure it should probably run an embedded OS on a nonwriteable medium.
Some one hacks one of these things and it opens the front door for them.
Worse - someone hacks into one of these things and has access to your entire network.
Now *that* would be some security breach.
Futuristic-looking? Check.
Create enough hype to get VC, DARPA and NIH funding? Check.
In reality though, these are a far cry from being practical, cost-effective replacements for human security or maintenance personell. Well, maybe HP R&D does use them but that's about it as far as practical applications go (at least at this point). It just doesn't make sense to employ these outside of a tradeshow or R&D environment from a business point of view.
What happens, for instance, if an intruder does decide to jam the WiFi network (not really that hard to do)? Do the robots have the AI required to perform their scheduled tasks autonomously? Or will they require human supervision and internvetion (in that case, they aren't really anything more than cool, mobile surveillance cameras).
I'm sorry but I just don't see any practical applications (aside from, maybe, logistics) for these robots at this point.
Did anyone thought of the social impacts these "wifi robots" can bring? i mena, here at Portugal this kind of job is usually done by retired men and young people that couldn't find another job. If these robots substitute humans, more unemployed people will appear. Social-unfriendly technology isn't the way to go, IMHO.
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As opposed to someone that hacks into your network and has access to your entire network?
My freedom ends where someone else's begins
It is not only about vulnerabilities and exploiting the robot's software, even simpler things could be a great issue in such cases..
For example, a jammer. Operate a jammer in the 11 wifi bands and you got it isolated.
Simple?