Knightscope Expands Presence in Healthcare and Launches Robot Quiz

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 12, 2025--

Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ: KSCP), an innovator in robotics and artificial intelligence technologies focused on public safety, announced today that three healthcare organizations have expanded their security and public safety infrastructure with Knightscope’s cutting-edge solutions. These latest deployments include a Texas hospital modernizing its emergency communication system, a hospital enhancing parking area security with a K5 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR), and a Department of Health facility in the Northeast investing in Knightscope’s advanced emergency communication technology.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250212870681/en/

A Texas hospital has significantly upgraded its emergency communication capabilities by expanding its deployment of Knightscope Emergency Communication Devices (ECDs). By retrofitting outdated emergency phones with Knightscope’s latest technology and integrating Verizon cellular service, the hospital ensures reliable, immediate access to emergency assistance, reinforcing its commitment to the safety of patients, visitors, and staff.

In a proactive move to enhance security and deter potential threats, another hospital has deployed a K5 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR) to patrol its parking areas. The K5 ASR provides continuous monitoring and real-time intelligence, supporting security personnel in protecting patients, caregivers, and hospital staff. By leveraging AI-driven autonomous security, the hospital aims to create a safer and more secure environment.

Additionally, a Department of Health facility in the Northeast has selected the Knightscope K1 Blue Light Tower to strengthen its emergency response system. The highly visible emergency phone provides an instant, easily accessible communication link for individuals in distress, ensuring swift response times in critical situations. This investment underscores the department’s commitment to enhancing public safety and security for staff and visitors.

Take the Robot Quiz Today

Knightscope has also launched a Robot Quiz to help community leaders, public safety officials, law enforcement, and security professionals quickly determine whether autonomous security solutions could enhance their facilities. The quiz takes just 12 questions and 3 minutes to complete. You can take the quiz here.

Experience the Future Today

Knightscope’s portfolio of advanced public safety technologies – including the K1 Laser, Blue Light Emergency Communication Devices, Autonomous Security Robots and Automated Gunshot Detection Services – can enhance security where it matters most, book a discovery call today at www.knightscope.com/discover

About Knightscope

Knightscope is transforming public safety with cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies. From autonomous security robots to advanced detection systems, Knightscope is committed to building safer communities where you live, work, study and visit. Our long-term ambition is bold but simple: to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. Learn more about us at www.knightscope.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "should," "may," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "expects," "plans," "proposes" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other communications include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s goals, profitability, growth, prospects, reduction of expenses, and outlook. Although Knightscope believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, including the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Knightscope’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and Knightscope does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

(Photo: Business Wire)

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was convicted Friday following a corruption trial tied to multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

The nation’s High Court found Najib, 72, guilty on four counts of abuse of power and 21 charges of money laundering related to more than $700 million channelled into his personal bank accounts from the 1MDB fund.

Najib's defense team was expected to make mitigation arguments before sentencing later Friday.

Najib denied any wrongdoing and maintained the funds were a political donation from Saudi Arabia and that he had been misled by rogue financiers led by Low Taek Jho. Low, thought to be the scandal’s mastermind, remains at large.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said Najib’s claim of a Saudi donation was “incapable of belief." Four letters purportedly from the Saudi donor were forged and evidence clearly showed the funds originated from 1MDB, he said.

He rejected defense arguments that Najib was an unwitting victim, duped by former 1MDB officials and Low. Witness testimonies had pointed to an “unmistakble bond” between Najib and Low, who had played a pivotal role in the scandal and operated as “the proxy, the conduit, the intermediary and the facilitator” for Najib in 1MDB, the judge said.

The judge noted that Najib failed to take steps to verify the origin of the massive funds nor took action against Low. Instead, Najib used the money despite its suspicious origins and also took steps to protect his position, including by removing the then-attorney general and anti-corruption chief investigating the case, he said.

“The accused was no country bumpkin,” said Sequerah, who took five hours to read the ruling. “Any attempt to paint the accused as an ignoramus who was hopelessly unaware of the misdeeds going around him must therefore, fail miserably.”

The ruling marked a major milestone in one of the world's largest financial scandals, which rippled across global markets and triggered investigations in the United States and other nations.

Dressed in a blue suit, Najib appeared calm and at times wrote in his notebook.

Najib, who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2018, currently is serving a prison sentence after being convicted in an earlier case linked to the 1MDB scandal, which led to his government’s defeat in 2018.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2020 for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) channeled into his accounts from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB.

He began his sentence in August 2022 after losing a final appeal, becoming Malaysia’s first former leader to be jailed. The Pardons Board, a body that advises rulers on granting clemency, halved his sentence and sharply reduced his fine in 2024.

Najib set up the 1MDB development fund shortly after taking office in 2009. He chaired 1MDB’s advisory board and held veto power as finance minister while serving as prime minister.

Between 2009 and 2014, top executives and associates of Najib looted over $4.5 billion from the fund, laundering it through countries including the U.S., Singapore and Switzerland, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Authorities alleged the funds were used to finance Hollywood films and extravagant purchases including hotels, a luxury yacht, art and jewelry. Jeff Sessions, the U.S. attorney general at the time, called it “kleptocracy at its worst.”

The scandal also hit Wall Street, with Goldman Sachs facing billions in fines for its role in raising money for 1MDB.

The scion of a prominent political family, Najib was long seen as untouchable until public anger over 1MDB led to the 2018 election defeat of his ruling party, which had governed Malaysia since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Earlier this week, Najib failed in his bid to serve his graft sentence under house arrest. Malaysia’s High Court ruled Monday that a rare royal order for home arrest issued by the nation’s former king was invalid because it was not made in accordance with constitutional requirements. Najib’s lawyer has said they plan to appeal.

Originally due for release in August 2028 after his sentence reduction, Najib now faces a longer stretch behind bars.

Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, also was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a massive fine in 2022 in a separate graft case. She has been released on bail pending an appeal.

FILE - Malaysian former Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, is escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)