Knightscope
Knightscope develops autonomous security robots, emergency communication devices, and AI-driven monitoring software, selling them via a Machine-as-a-Service subscription model to U.S. enterprises, healthcare systems, municipalities, and federal agencies. Following its February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk, it operates as an integrated managed security services provider combining autonomous machines with licensed human response.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMountain View, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Knightscope does
Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a U.S.-only autonomous security technology company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The company develops a vertically integrated platform combining autonomous mobile robots (K5 indoor/outdoor patrol robot; K7 off-road robot unveiled in November 2025 with H2 2026 deployment), stationary security devices (K1 Hemisphere), LiDAR-based object detection (K1 Laser), Automated Gunshot Detection, and a line of K1 Emergency Communication Devices (Blue Light Towers, E-Phones, Call Boxes, Retrofit Kits) connected via the Verizon Frontline cellular network. Two browser-based software platforms orchestrate the fleet: the Knightscope Security Operations Center (KSOC) for robot and video management, and the Knightscope Emergency Management System (KEMS) which monitors approximately 10,000 deployed K1B emergency devices across North America. The Risk & Threat Exposure (RTX) service layers 24/7 human analyst oversight on top of the autonomous systems, providing live alert triage, virtual patrols, and audio intervention, and the in-development Signals orchestration layer is intended to unify all sensors, machines, AI agents, and human command into a single operating picture.
Knightscope monetizes the platform primarily through a Machine-as-a-Service (MaaS) annual subscription model covering hardware, software (KSOC, KEMS), 4G/5G LTE connectivity, maintenance, software updates, and hardware replacement with no customer capital expenditure. RTX monitoring is priced at approximately $9-$11 per hour and standalone K5 service at roughly $11 per hour, both positioned against $22-$85 per hour for human security guards. Following the February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk LLC for approximately $18 million, Knightscope added nationwide armed and unarmed security guarding and executive protection services (operating as Knightscope Security Force during 2026), enabling participation in enterprise security RFPs that require licensed guarding providers. K1B ECD sales are sold as hardware plus optional Blue Light Maintenance Plan subscriptions.
The customer base spans airports, casinos and gaming, corporate campuses, education and universities, federal government (via Palantir FedStart and AFWERX), healthcare (including a 9th consecutive year renewal with one of the largest U.S. health systems), hospitality, industrial and logistics, municipalities and law enforcement (Huntington Park PD, NYC subway, Dublin Ohio PD), public parks, residential real estate, and retail. Distribution is sales-led direct enterprise with inside-sales demos and proposal support, supplemented by the Knightscope Authorized Partner (KAP) reseller program (partners include The Car Park, Novo Communications, TSandL, Securitas, Allied Universal) and federal channels through Palantir FedStart, AFWERX, and Verizon Frontline. Headcount quadrupled to over 400 personnel following the Event Risk acquisition.
Knightscope firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knightscope
- Legal name
- Knightscope, Inc.
- Website
- https://knightscope.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Knightscope develops autonomous security robots, emergency communication devices, and AI-driven monitoring software, selling them via a Machine-as-a-Service subscription model to U.S. enterprises, healthcare systems, municipalities, and federal agencies. Following its February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk, it operates as an integrated managed security services provider combining autonomous machines with licensed human response.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knightscope industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Security Robotics
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T) (IMABAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Physical Security IoT & Smart Building Security Integration (Sensors, BMS tie-ins) (BPAKAGAL)
Keywords
Where Knightscope is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mountain View
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Knightscope business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Machine-as-a-Service (MaaS) Subscription: Primary revenue stream delivered as annual subscription covering hardware (K5, K1 Hemisphere, K7), software (KSOC, KEMS), connectivity (4G/5G LTE), maintenance, software updates, and hardware replacements. Marketed as zero-capital-expenditure model with nationwide service and support
- Emergency Communication Device (ECD) Sales and Subscriptions: Recurring revenue from K1 Blue Light Towers, E-Phones, Call Boxes, and Retrofit Kits sold and renewed across healthcare, higher education, hospitality, government, and consumer goods sectors. Blue Light Maintenance Plans offered separately
- Managed Security Services (Event Risk / Knightscope Security Force): Armed and unarmed security guarding services and executive protection delivered as a vertically integrated managed service platform following the February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk LLC; combines licensed physical response with autonomous systems and AI orchestration under a single contract
- Risk & Threat Exposure (RTX) Premium Monitoring: Premium remote monitoring subscriptions sold alongside ASRs and ECDs, including Risk & Threat Exposure premium accounts and Maintenance renewals
- Public Safety Infrastructure Bond Offering: Capital raised through a Public Infrastructure Bond offering (10% annual interest, up to 5-year term) closed at end of March 2024, raising more than $4 million; administered by Great Lakes Fund Solutions
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Annual | K5 with RTX human-in-the-loop monitoring — $9 to $11 per hour |
| Subscription | Annual | K5 Autonomous Security Robot — approximately $11 per hour |
| Usage-based | Annual | ASR pricing range — $0.85 to $9 per hour (third-party reference) |
| Subscription | Annual | K1B Emergency Communication Devices and Maintenance Plans |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise managed service contracts |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Knightscope product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knightscope designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous security robots (K5, K7, K1 Hemisphere), emergency communication devices (K1 Blue Light Towers, E-Phones, Call Boxes, Retrofit Kits), LiDAR-based object detection (K1 Laser), and automated gunshot detection (AGD), delivered primarily under a Machine-as-a-Service subscription that bundles hardware, cloud software (KSOC, KEMS), cellular connectivity, and remote human monitoring (RTX). Following the February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk LLC, the company also offers licensed armed and unarmed guarding and executive protection under the Knightscope Security Force brand, integrated into an Autonomous Security Force managed service platform.
Product overview
Knightscope's offering is a platform-plus-modules architecture built around the "Autonomous Security Force" (ASF) managed service, rather than a single product. The core autonomous hardware layer consists of mobile and stationary machines: the K5 Autonomous Security Robot (the flagship outdoor mobile patrol robot), the K7 Autonomous Security Robot (new off-road platform unveiled November 2025), and the stationary K1 Hemisphere. Layered on top are emergency-detection products — Automated Gunshot Detection (AGD) and the K1 Laser (LiDAR-based object detection, classification, and tracking). The K1 line of Emergency Communication Devices (K1 Blue Light Tower, K1 Blue Light E-Phone, K1 Emergency Call Box, K1 Blue Light Retrofit Kit, and Blue Light Maintenance Plan) provides one-touch public-safety calling on the Verizon Frontline network. Two browser-based platforms tie everything together: the Knightscope Security Operations Center (KSOC) for robot fleet management and the Knightscope Emergency Management System (KEMS) for remote monitoring of ECDs. The Risk & Threat Exposure (RTX) service adds 24/7 human analyst oversight on top of KSOC, and an all-new orchestration interface called Signals is under development. The recently acquired Event Risk guarding business — set to rebrand as Knightscope Security Force — adds licensed armed and unarmed physical response to close the ASF loop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- K5 Autonomous Security Robot: AI-driven autonomous security robot patrolling commercial properties and public spaces 24/7.
- K1 Hemisphere
- K7 Autonomous Security Robot
- K1 Blue Light Tower
- K1 Blue Light E-Phone
- K1 Emergency Call Box
- K1 Blue Light Retrofit Kit
- K1 Laser
- Automated Gunshot Detection (AGD)
- Knightscope Security Operations Center (KSOC)
- Risk & Threat Exposure (RTX)
- Knightscope Emergency Management System (KEMS)
Products and services
- K5 Autonomous Security Robot AI-driven autonomous mobile security robot that patrols commercial properties and public spaces 24/7. Equipped with four 360-degree cameras, LIDAR, sonar, license plate recognition, thermal imaging, two-way intercom, and self-recharging, delivered under the Machine-as-a-Service subscription and managed via KSOC. Targeted at enterprise, government, healthcare, hospitality, and law enforcement customers.
- K7 Autonomous Security Robot Off-road AI-equipped Autonomous Security Robot designed for large outdoor and mixed-terrain environments such as logistics yards, critical infrastructure sites, and industrial complexes. Carnegie Mellon graduate students are developing an AI feature for the platform.
- K1 Hemisphere
Quantifiable outcome
- RTX service averages $9-$11/hour versus $22-$50/hour for human guards, and standalone K5 is approximately $11/hour versus $35-$85/hour for human guards
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Knightscope
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments12 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Knightscope technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability16 records
Feature9 records
Knightscope partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Carnegie Mellon University (School of Computer Science)coreFive-year letter agreement to collaborate on educational projects aimed at strengthening the U.S. robotics workforce and advancing autonomous systems for public safety and national security. Knightscope funds five course projects and provides access to its National Security Robotics Lab in Silicon Valley. Five CMU graduate students are working on an AI feature for the upcoming K7 Autonomous Security Robot.
- Palantir TechnologiescoreTwo-year agreement to join Palantir's FedStart program, providing Knightscope an accelerated pathway to FedRAMP High and DoD Impact Level 5 accreditation and Authority to Operate (ATO) within U.S. federal agencies. Includes access to Palantir-managed AWS GovCloud infrastructure enabling secure deployment of autonomous security robots and AI technologies in federal and military environments.
- The Car ParksecondaryAdded to Knightscope Authorized Partner (KAP) reseller program, enabling The Car Park to offer Knightscope's Autonomous Security Robots (K5, K1 Hemisphere) and Emergency Communication Devices (Blue Light Towers, E-Phones) to clients across its national parking management network covering parking facilities, corporate campuses, and retail centers.
- Verizon (Frontline network)coreVerizon Frontline-powered connectivity for Knightscope's Emergency Communication Devices, providing advanced network and priority technology for first responders. Cellular 4G/5G LTE connectivity is bundled into the K5 subscription model. Partnership advances Knightscope's robot capabilities and is referenced as a key growth catalyst for federal and Verizon-powered deployments.
- U.S. Air Force (AFWERX)corePartnership to enhance USAF base security through Knightscope Autonomous Security Robots. Established federal presence with robots headed to Washington D.C. as part of the broader federal expansion strategy.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Knightscope competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cobalt Robotics: Cobalt builds indoor autonomous security robots with two-way communication and AI-driven anomaly detection, primarily for office buildings and corporate campuses — the same indoor commercial use case Knightscope's K1 Hemisphere and K5 target.
- SMP Robotics: SMP Robotics manufactures outdoor autonomous security patrol robots for perimeter and industrial sites, directly overlapping with Knightscope's K5 and K7 outdoor patrol positioning.
- Turing AI (Turing Video): Turing AI provides AI-enabled security cameras and analytics for commercial security operations, competing with Knightscope's KSOC and K1 Laser computer-vision and LiDAR detection products in the same CSO buyer.
Broad incumbents
- Boston Dynamics (Stretch / Spot Security): Boston Dynamics offers mobile robots (Spot, Stretch) being adopted for industrial and logistics security patrols; as a well-funded Hyundai-owned incumbent, it competes for the same industrial/logistics security budget Knightscope targets with the K7.
- Securitas: Securitas is a global physical security guarding and services incumbent that competes directly with Knightscope Security Force (Event Risk) in manned guarding bids and is also displayed as a KAP partner — a dual competitor-and-channel relationship.
- Allied Universal: Allied Universal is one of the largest North American guarding and security services companies, competing with Knightscope Security Force for managed-service contracts and also listed as a KAP partner.
- Prosegur: Prosegur is a global security services provider offering guarding, monitoring, and cash logistics — overlapping with Knightscope's integrated Autonomous Security Force thesis in the broader managed security services category.
- Axon (formerly TASER International): Axon dominates U.S. law-enforcement technology (body cameras, conducted-energy weapons, digital evidence) and competes with Knightscope's Automated Gunshot Detection (AGD) and police/municipality customer segment for the same federal and police-procurement budgets.
Emerging players
- Ghost Robotics: Ghost Robotics builds legged autonomous ground robots for defense and perimeter security — overlapping with Knightscope's K7 outdoor and AFWERX/U.S. Air Force federal deployments.
- Ascento: Ascento develops wheeled-legged autonomous outdoor security robots for industrial site patrolling, addressing a similar industrial-perimeter use case to the Knightscope K7.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Knightscope social profiles
Digital presenceKnightscope compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Knightscope financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knightscope leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Knightscope subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Knightscope funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds22 records
Investors17 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knightscope M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knightscope
What does Knightscope do?
Knightscope designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous security robots (K5, K7, K1 Hemisphere), emergency communication devices (K1 Blue Light Towers, E-Phones, Call Boxes, Retrofit Kits), LiDAR-based object detection (K1 Laser), and automated gunshot detection (AGD), delivered primarily under a Machine-as-a-Service subscription that bundles hardware, cloud software (KSOC, KEMS), cellular connectivity, and remote human monitoring (RTX). Following the February 2026 acquisition of Event Risk LLC, the company also offers licensed armed and unarmed guarding and executive protection under the Knightscope Security Force brand, integrated into an Autonomous Security Force managed service platform.
Is Knightscope a public or private company?
Knightscope is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Knightscope founded?
Knightscope was founded in 2013. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Knightscope based?
Knightscope is headquartered in Mountain View, United States, in the North America region.
How does Knightscope make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Machine-as-a-Service (MaaS) Subscription is the primary driver. The others are emergency Communication Device (ECD) Sales and Subscriptions, managed Security Services (Event Risk / Knightscope Security Force), risk & Threat Exposure (RTX) Premium Monitoring and public Safety Infrastructure Bond Offering.
Who are Knightscope's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cobalt Robotics, SMP Robotics and Turing AI (Turing Video). Broad incumbents are Boston Dynamics (Stretch / Spot Security), Securitas, Allied Universal, Prosegur and Axon (formerly TASER International). Emerging players are Ghost Robotics and Ascento.
Does Knightscope have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knightscope.
What industry is Knightscope in?
Knightscope's product category is Autonomous Security Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAOAI, Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T), with a secondary code of BPAKAGAL, Physical Security IoT & Smart Building Security Integration (Sensors, BMS tie-ins). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3812.