BewachVO and Security Robots: Compliance for Autonomous Security

The security guarding ordinance (BewachVO) forms the legal foundation in Germany for commercial guarding activities. When deploying security robots, the question of human oversight and the intervention chain primarily arises. Under current law, an autonomous system may not completely replace the human decision but serves as a technical aid for detection and documentation. The BewachVO stipulates that the deployed personnel must have the necessary qualification. In a figurative sense, this also applies to the control and monitoring of robot fleets.

A decisive aspect is the reliability of the alerting. When a robot detects an irregularity, this impulse must be transmitted without time delay to a certified alarm receiving and service center (NSL). This is where werob comes in, by configuring the robot action graphs so that they comply with the requirements of the BewachVO. The documentation obligations of the ordinance are fulfilled in an automated manner by the werob Cockpit, as every patrol and every event is logged in an audit-proof way. This relieves operations management of manual record-keeping and creates a complete chain of evidence for insurers and authorities.

A critical factor for every operator of security robotics is the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230. This becomes binding on 20 January 2027 and replaces the old Machinery Directive. For security robots, which often come from Asian OEMs, this means a considerable tightening of the conformity requirements. Without a local integrator that carries out the necessary conformity assessments, operators risk the loss of their insurance coverage or official shutdowns. werob positions itself here as the central compliance path in Europe.

The new regulation places particular emphasis on the safety of AI-controlled functions and the cybersecurity of the machinery. Because security robots act autonomously in environments with people, they fall under strict examination criteria. werob ensures that all deployed systems from the catalog of more than 44 OEM partners are already examined for these requirements today. We take on the role of local conformity assessor for partners such as ANYbotics or Robotnik, so that you as the operator can act in a legally compliant manner. This is not a purely bureaucratic exercise but the prerequisite for the long-term operation of your fleet in all 11 European countries in which werob is operationally active.

The use of security robots is not a pure innovation decision but a business necessity. In logistics, an automated yard patrol enables verified cost relief of 68,000 euros per site per year. In the area of retail patrol, for instance in large shopping centers or warehouse retail areas, the saving amounts to around 58,000 euros annually. These figures are based on real deployment data from our 200 robots in live operation and take into account the reduction of personnel costs in the night shift as well as the avoidance of property damage through faster detection.

werob's commercial model follows the outcome-only principle. This means for you: you only pay once the robot is in productive use. There are no hidden list prices or high upfront investments for feasibility studies. We translate your workflow into a specification within 48 hours and deliver a ready-to-use system within eight weeks. Amortization usually takes place as early as the first year of operation, as the robots carry out repetitive tasks such as perimeter checks or temperature monitoring without breaks and with consistent precision. This allows your qualified security personnel to concentrate on complex intervention tasks.

The market for security robotics is fragmented. There are specialized robots for rough terrain, humanoid systems for complex interactions, and wheel-based platforms for indoor spaces. werob is not a manufacturer and is therefore not tied to a particular hardware. Our Supplier Match system ranks more than 44 OEM partners and more than 280 different robot models against your specific requirements. Whether you need a four-legged robot from Boston Dynamics for a construction site or a discreet indoor robot for a hotel is decided solely by the specification.

This hardware agnosticism protects you from vendor lock-in. Should a manufacturer change its strategy or no longer meet the compliance requirements, the werob platform allows an easy switch of the hardware while the software integration and the workflows remain in place. Our Spec Engine uses data from more than 35,000 projects to determine the optimal hardware combination for your site in just 48 hours. This data-driven approach eliminates the risk of wrong purchases, which in the industry often lead to unused robots in storerooms.

A security robot is only as valuable as its connection to the existing infrastructure. An isolated system that requires its own app for monitoring increases the complexity for the staff instead of reducing it. werob delivers pre-built connectors into the operator stack. In the security area, integration into video management systems (VMS) such as Genetec is essential. Through our connectors, the robot becomes a mobile camera and a sensor hub within your familiar user interface.

Alarms triggered by the robot appear directly in the Genetec Security Center. The guarding personnel can control the live feeds, use two-way audio for communication, or manually direct the robot to a suspicious point. This deep integration also includes the connection to SAP EWM for logistical security tasks or to building management systems for controlling elevators and gates. The goal is a seamless flow of information in which the robot acts as an integral part of the security architecture and not as a foreign body. The werob Cockpit serves here as a superordinate management layer that monitors the status of the hardware, the infrastructure, and the regulatory compliance in real time.

Security robots are networked endpoints and thus potential targets for cyberattacks. In an industry based on trust, IT security is non-negotiable. werob implements security standards according to IEC 62443 in order to ensure the integrity of the fleet. This includes encrypted communication, secure boot processes, and regular security updates via the Cockpit. Because security robots are often equipped with cameras and microphones, the GDPR also plays a central role. We ensure that data processing procedures are designed in compliance with European directives, for example through the automated pixelation of faces in non-critical situations.

Compliance with these standards is part of our compliance path. We support you in creating the necessary data protection impact assessments and in meeting the requirements of the care home inspectorate or other regional authorities. A robot that closes security gaps must not itself open new gaps in the IT infrastructure. By separating operational data and sensitive image data in the werob Cockpit, we ensure a maximum level of security that also withstands strict audits according to ISO 27001.

The traditional path to introducing robotics often takes three to six months and is characterized by lengthy discovery workshops. werob has radically shortened this process. Our Spec Engine translates your operational requirements – shift schedules, terrain conditions, specific tasks – into a technical specification within 48 hours. You describe the workflow in your own words, and our AI-powered engine generates from it a precise action graph for the robot.

This process ensures that the right hardware and the matching connectors are selected from the outset. After the specification, you receive a binding quote within five days. Our promise is: in eight weeks, the robot is in use on your floor. This speed is only possible because we draw on standardized processes and an extensive database of already realized projects. We eliminate the uncertainty in the planning phase and create a clear basis for decision-making for management.

Many companies hesitate to introduce robotics because of the high initial investments and the concern about technological obsolescence. werob's commercial model addresses precisely these points. We act in a results-oriented manner. Our model is based on you paying for the performance delivered, not for the ownership of a machine that could be outdated in two years. This covers the hardware, the software integration, the ongoing maintenance, and the regulatory monitoring.

Should a system not deliver the specified performance, the risk lies with us. This approach forces us to offer only solutions that genuinely work operationally. With 200 robots in live operation and the goal of scaling to 2,000 units by 2028, we have the necessary experience to implement projects successfully. We are your partner for the entire lifespan of the robot fleet and ensure that your property protection becomes more efficient, more cost-effective, and above all legally compliant. Start your specification today and benefit from the next stage of automated security.