Estonian startup unveils AI-powered monowheel robot designed to patrol facilities autonomously

One-wheeled robot suits up for future security patrol

The self-balancing 1Rollo robot is made to keep an AI eye on property Why pay to design and mass-produce a four-wheeled autonomous security robot, when you can make a less costly one with just one wheel? That's the thinking behind the 1Rollo, a monowheel-bot that could soon be patrolling near you. Currently in functional prototype form, the 1Rollo is being developed by Estonian startup Rollo Robotics. The basic idea is that the AI-enabled robot will roll around its user's property, utilizing both a 360-degree computer vision system and RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GNSS positioning to autonomously following a predefined map. As it does so, it will use cameras and other sensors both to detect and avoid obstacles, and to "detect anomalies." Should it spot anything fishy, the robot will immediately transmit an alert to a human overseer via 4G/5G or Wi-Fi. That person can then dispatch an actual security guard if needed, although it will also be possible to remotely communicate with people onsite via a built-in speaker and microphone. Utilizing a cloud-based platform, overseers should be able to remotely monitor whole fleets of 1Rollos simultaneously. In order to maintain its balance, the robot is equipped with an internal vertically oriented spinning flywheel, that sits inline with its main wheel. Turning left or right is accomplished by tilting that flywheel to either side accordingly. The robot has a top speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) and is claimed to be good for up to eight hours of runtime per battery-charge. Rollo Robotics hopes to make the 1Rollo commercially available sometime next year. "Rollo will be offered through a Robotics-as-a-Service model, allowing customers to subscribe to the service rather than purchase the hardware," CEO and co-founder Sander Sebastian Agur tells us. "Our goal is to provide autonomous security patrols at a significantly lower operating cost than traditional security solutions, whether that's human guards alone or a combination of guards and patrol vehicles. The subscription model also ensures customers always have access to the latest hardware, software, and support without the upfront capital investment."

Video: Self-balancing monowheel robot for autonomous security patrols

An Estonian startup has unveiled an autonomous monowheel robot it says is the world's first stable single-wheel security robot designed for real-world patrols. Built to autonomously monitor industrial sites, campuses, and other large facilities, the robot navigates preset routes while balancing on a single wide wheel and continuously scanning its surroundings. Rollo Robotics says its IROLLO it solveed the long-standing challenge of keeping a monowheel robot stable while moving, turning, and stopping. "Our goal is to make autonomous patrolling more cost-efficient, less intrusive, and significantly more versatile by creating a modern robotic platform," said Sebastian Agur, Co-Founder of Rollo Robotics, in a statement. 1ROLLO is described as the world's first autonomous monowheel security robot capable of carrying out real-world security patrols. The Estonian startup, founded in 2025, developed the system to provide continuous autonomous surveillance across large outdoor sites while reducing the need for human patrols. Unlike conventional four-wheeled security robots, 1ROLLO balances on a single 60-centimeter (24-inch) wheel using a proprietary stabilization system. At the heart of the design is a high-speed flywheel mounted vertically inside the main wheel. The spinning flywheel generates gyroscopic forces that keep the robot upright while moving, stopping, or traversing uneven terrain, reports Techeblog. To change direction, the internal flywheel tilts, allowing the robot to lean into turns much like a motorcycle. High-frequency sensors continuously feed data to Rollo Robotics' in-house control software, which makes constant adjustments to maintain balance even in windy conditions or on rough ground. Standing 110 centimeters (43 inches) tall and weighing about 45 kilograms (100 pounds), 1ROLLO combines a compact footprint with high mobility. The robot can travel at speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph), enabling it to patrol expansive facilities efficiently. Powered by a battery that delivers up to eight hours of operation, it automatically returns to a wireless charging station when power runs low, allowing around-the-clock deployment with minimal human intervention. Its IP65-rated enclosure also enables reliable operation in rain, dust, and temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F). The robot is equipped with a 360-degree vision system that uses computer vision and edge AI to monitor its surroundings in real time. It can detect people, vehicles, open doors, and other unusual activity, while an RTK-GNSS positioning system provides highly accurate navigation across pre-mapped patrol routes. When an anomaly is detected, 1ROLLO sends instant alerts to a cloud-based fleet management platform via 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. Operators can then access live video, communicate through the robot's integrated microphone and speaker, or dispatch security personnel if needed. The platform also allows multiple robots to be managed simultaneously from a centralized dashboard. According to its makers, one of 1ROLLO's biggest practical advantages is its slim, single-wheel design. Unlike larger four-wheeled robots that can struggle in narrow corridors, entrances, or crowded walkways, the monowheel platform can navigate tighter spaces while maintaining stability. The robot is designed for security patrols at industrial facilities, data centers, airports, campuses, and other critical infrastructure sites. It also features a modular architecture that supports thermal cameras, PTZ cameras, night vision systems, RFID readers, and other mission-specific payloads, reports Techeblog. Rather than selling the robot outright, Rollo Robotics will offer 1ROLLO through a subscription-based service. Customers pay a monthly fee covering the hardware, maintenance, software updates, and future hardware upgrades, reducing upfront investment while ensuring the system remains current throughout its deployment. Commercial availability is planned for 2027.