Security tech developer Knightscope is adding real-time, automated gunshot detection to its portfolio of autonomous security products and services. The company is responding to requests from cities, schools airports and hotels for gunshot detection system as part of the company’s current active threat and emergency response plans.

Knightscope’s automated gunshot detection system will be integrated with its new K1 Blue Light Towers and as an upgrade to over 7,000 devices already deployed across the country. Gunshot detection can be used as a stand-alone device or in concert with its K5 Outdoor and K3 Indoor Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs). It can also operate using optional solar power or light pole kits.

The system is automated with precision localisation that operates indoors and outdoors. It is capable of locating shots in both horizontal and vertical planes. Notifications are delivered in less than 2 seconds using a multi-sensor system.

Knightscope believes that an on-site, hyper-focused, real-time system is significantly more effective than attempting a city-wide approach over vast areas. Sales are targeted to begin during Q4 2023.

With increased attention on gunshot-related crimes, many smart Cities projects have integrated gunshot detection into future planning assumptions to increase safety. Analysts predict market value to reach $646 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 9.1% from 2022 to 2031 in North America.

“We are excited to begin the upgrade of our Nation’s public safety infrastructure by deploying technology that can give law enforcement officers and security professionals new capabilities with ‘eyes, ears, and voice’ on the ground driven by artificial intelligence 24/7/365,” said William Santana Li, chairman and chief executive officer, Knightscope, Inc. “This is just the beginning of our long-term march to deploy over 1 million machines-in-network having the capabilities to see, feel, hear, smell and speak,” continued Li.

The current market leader in gunshot detection is a company called SoundThinking, who have developed the ShotSpotter system. This has been widely deployed across American and European cities.

Currently, there are over 100 cities in the United States that have adopted gunshot detection systems. Chicago became the first city in the United States to deploy a gunshot detection system in 2007. The system currently is in use in over 100 square miles of the city. New York City began deploying gunshot detection in 2015, with it now used in over 30 square miles of the city. In 2016, Los Angeles began deploying gunshot detection, now in use in over 70 square miles of the city. Other cities include Baltimore and Washington DC, with both cities deploying gunshot detection over ten square miles.

Other cities deploying automatic gunshot detection include London, which launched its system in 2019 and covers 20 square miles, Cape Town, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro.

Gunshot detection systems are not without controversy. Critics argue that the systems are not accurate enough, and that they can lead to false alarms. Others argue that the systems are a form of mass surveillance, and that they violate people’s privacy.