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

Estonian Startup Tackles Security with Single-Wheel Design

Rollo Robotics, an Estonian startup founded in 2025, has unveiled what it claims is the world's first stable autonomous monowheel security robot capable of real-world patrols 1

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. The 1Rollo represents a departure from conventional four-wheeled security robots, instead balancing on a single 60-centimeter wheel while autonomously monitoring industrial sites, campuses, data centers, airports, and other large facilities. Currently in functional prototype form, the AI-enabled robot is designed to roll around properties following predefined maps, using both a 360-degree computer vision system and RTK-GNSS positioning for highly accurate navigation 1

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Gyroscopic Stabilization Solves Balance Challenge

The core innovation behind 1Rollo lies in its proprietary stabilization system, which Rollo Robotics says solves the long-standing challenge of keeping a monowheel robot stable while moving, turning, and stopping 2

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. At the heart of the design sits a high-speed flywheel mounted vertically inside the main wheel. This spinning flywheel generates gyroscopic forces that keep the robot upright across various conditions, including uneven terrain and windy environments. To change direction, the internal flywheel tilts, allowing the robot to lean into turns much like a motorcycle 2

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. High-frequency sensors continuously feed data to Rollo Robotics' in-house control software, which makes constant adjustments to maintain balance.

Compact Form Factor Enables Navigation in Tight Spaces

Standing 110 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 45 kilograms, 1Rollo combines a compact footprint with high mobility 2

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. The robot can travel at speeds of up to 30 km/h, enabling efficient patrol of expansive facilities 1

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. One of its biggest practical advantages is the slim, single-wheel design that can navigate tighter spaces, narrow corridors, entrances, and crowded walkways where larger four-wheeled robots might struggle 2

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. Powered by a battery delivering up to eight hours of operation per charge, it automatically returns to a wireless charging station when power runs low, allowing around-the-clock deployment with minimal human intervention 1

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. Its IP65-rated enclosure enables reliable operation in rain, dust, and temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C 2

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AI-Powered Detection and Cloud-Based Fleet Management

The robot's 360-degree vision system uses computer vision and edge AI to monitor surroundings in real time, detecting people, vehicles, open doors, and other unusual activity 2

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. As it patrols, 1Rollo uses cameras and other sensors both to detect and avoid obstacles and to identify anomalies 1

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. When something suspicious is spotted, the robot immediately transmits an alert to a human overseer via 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi 1

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. Operators can then access live video, communicate through the robot's integrated microphone and speaker, or dispatch security personnel if needed. Utilizing a cloud-based platform, overseers can remotely monitor whole fleets of 1Rollos simultaneously from a centralized dashboard 1

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. The robot also features a modular architecture that supports thermal cameras, PTZ cameras, night vision systems, RFID readers, and other mission-specific payloads 2

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Subscription Model Targets Cost-Efficient Security

Rather than selling the hardware outright, Rollo Robotics will offer 1Rollo through a Robotics-as-a-Service subscription model. "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," CEO and co-founder Sander Sebastian Agur stated 1

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. Customers will pay a monthly fee covering the hardware, maintenance, software updates, and future hardware upgrades, reducing upfront capital investment while ensuring the system remains current throughout its deployment 1

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. The subscription model also ensures customers always have access to the latest hardware, software, and support without significant upfront investment 1

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. Commercial availability is planned for 2027 2

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. The approach reflects a broader trend in robotics deployment where operational expenses replace capital expenditures, potentially making advanced security technology accessible to a wider range of facilities and organizations looking to supplement or reduce reliance on traditional human patrols.