Boston Dynamics – Rightpoint Helps Boston Dynamics Create Bespoke Experiences to Ready Spot for Market
Strengthening Data Center Security With Gen AI and Autonomous Robots
Novva Data Centers
Novva Data Centers, a leading provider of state-of-the-art data centers across the US with locations in Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, sought to enhance their operational efficiency and security measures through advanced robotic integration. The company needed robots that could patrol and monitor critical assets, detect and report potential threats, and improve both employee and customer experiences. We delivered advanced, adaptable robots perfectly aligned with Novva's security requirements, significantly enhancing protection against security breaches and other malicious activities. Additionally, these robots fostered a comfortable and engaging environment for employees and customers, thanks to their unique personalities. Novva also benefited from a scalable framework that allows for the quick deployment of additional robots across various locations and facilities.
Starting with a Strategy
Novva Data Centers, a cutting-edge provider of data centers across the US, recognized the crucial role of data security in their operations. For Novva, safeguarding their organizational lifeblood was essential, prompting significant investments in state-of-the-art security measures. To enhance their premises' protection, Novva incorporated 24/7 robotic patrols using Spot robot dogs from Boston Dynamics. However, the out-of-the-box experience of these advanced, four-legged robots lacked the integration needed to align with Novva's existing services and systems.
Enter Rightpoint, a global experience leader and Genpact company. Tasked with this integration, our goal was to equip the robots with advanced security features while fostering trust through friendly interactions between the robots and Novva's employees, customers, and visitors. This challenge demanded careful attention to technical, design, and user experience considerations, along with seamless coordination across multiple vendors.
Novva was also keen to explore how recent advances in generative AI could enhance security by detecting potential threats and enabling natural voice interactions with the robots. The aim was to improve security both internally and externally, adding another layer of complexity to the project. Novva partnered with Rightpoint to bring humans and machines together in a harmonious, secure, and efficient operational environment.
Work
Recognizing the importance of creating seamless interactions between people, technology, and organizations, we jumped into action for Novva. Leveraging our previous partnership with Boston Dynamics, where we created the first controller app experience for Spot robots, we approached Novva's challenge with our Total Experience strategy—a human-first approach that blends customer, employee, and product experiences with the latest technology.
We began by deeply understanding the robots' use cases and exploring opportunities to enhance processes, experiences, and technology. By continuously making incremental updates based on user feedback and data, we optimized the robots' performance.
To build trust and enhance communication, we integrated voice capabilities, adding microphones, speakers, and text-to-audio features. We also incorporated large language models using OpenAI's ChatGPT API, trained with Novva's company data, and gave the robots unique personalities, such as a cowboy accent, to make interactions more engaging.
The upgrade included several key enhancements:
Collaborating with existing vendors to improve video streaming for facial recognition and license plate monitoring.
Creating a new OpenAI ChatGPT-based service to supplement existing security systems by detecting vehicles with missing license plates.
Integrating OpenAI's API with existing systems for anomaly detection when robots identify potential security threats to critical infrastructure.
Training the robots with critical information about Novva and its data center operations.
Designing branded skins for Novva's robots to increase brand recognition and awareness.
Our comprehensive approach ensured that the robotic integration not only enhanced security and operational efficiency but also aligned with the company's brand and user experience goals.
“Rightpoint’s expertise in generative AI transformed innovative ideas into impactful real-world solutions.”
Van Allen
EVP of Operations and Technology, Novva Data Centers
Outcomes
Sophisticated, Reliable, and Friendly Robots
Not only did the Spot robots become more relatable, interactive, and engaging, but they also bolstered the safety and efficiency of Novva's operations. These new comprehensive capabilities improved decision-making and security procedures by generating consistent data and reducing the probability of human error.
And our results went further:
With generative AI, the Spot robots can detect and notify Novva employees of potential security threats. Using conversational AI, the robots can also have natural conversations with people and provide information about the facilities
Sophisticated integration and optimization of predefined autonomous routes allow Spot robots to identify and report on vehicles in Novva's parking lots along with alerting security when vehicles are seen without front or rear license plates, enhancing situational awareness for security investigations
Facial recognition features allow the robots to greet employees and registered visitors by their first name, establishing trust and creating a personalized experience
It didn't end there, because even robots need a break from time to time: we designed branding and choreographed dance moves for the robots to perform on command to create a more enjoyable workplace for both people and machines
Following the success of this project, Novva is looking to expand its collaboration with Rightpoint, building on the robots' capabilities with additional functionalities and features across new locations.
Our Contributions
Capabilities
Research and Insight
User experience design
Our Contributions
Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
