

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- His name is SAM and he can be seen all over the sidewalks of Crocker Park. He works long hours with a partner and is open and friendly to everyone -- but her likes kids the most.
SAM stands for Secret Agent Man, according to Stacie Schmidt, vice president of marketing for Crocker Park. SAM is a robot “born” in California that has been deployed in Crocker Park to augment the shopping center’s security measures.
Explanations from Flanigan to visitors include descriptions of artificial intelligence (AI), such as 360-degree video streaming/recording and thermal imaging that enhances the huge number of cameras all over Crocker Park. The AI algorithms enable the system to detect anomalies and issue alerts to the onsite security team in real time.
“This augmentation in security is aimed at deterring potential incidents, ensuring a rapid response to any arising concerns and fostering a safe and welcoming environment for the entire community,” he said.
When asked what would happen if someone wanted to abscond with SAM, Flanigan doubted the possibility because, though SAM looks like a lightweight, he is over 5 feet tall and weighs 420 pounds. He also has cameras on all sides scanning the faces and the premises constantly.