It’s not exactly RoboCop. But it is a robot security guard – and it could be patrolling office floors within 10 years, according to G4S, the world’s biggest security company.

These automated watchmen, which have already been trialled, are the latest examples of the growing trend for companies to use robots alongside humans – in the same way that carmakers are giving drivers ever more autonomous driving systems.

G4S, which guards everything from the Baghdad airport in Iraq to oil pipelines in Nigeria, says the advantage of robot security guards is that they can analyse screens and data continually, whereas humans tend to lose focus.

Robots are also cheaper and can work without breaks in hazardous environments.

"We see robots and technology playing an increasing role alongside humans," says Dave Ella, head of technology at G4S. "In an office block, you’ll often have one guard on the desk at night. The robot would be able to wander the building and spot unusual things that a guard might normally not see. People can’t concentrate on cameras for very long but a robot can and it can learn what’s normal and abnormal."

He cites research showing that people monitoring security cameras miss 95 per cent of activity after 22 minutes.

Other tasks that security robots can carry out include checking up on lone workers and carrying out staff identity checks.

G4S has been exploring robotics as part of a £7.2m project funded by the European Union, which runs for four years to 2017 […]