With advanced technology paving the way for futuristic options, concepts like Amazon Go stores have emerged – just grab and go! This leads us to ponder, what is autonomous gas station? Imagine having the same convenience at gas stations – just refuel and drive!
The freedom to cast away sleepless nights and keep the business booming at odd hours seems too good to be true. However, at Sirix, we aim to provide you all of that [with an extra layer of security just in case]
The word Autonomous refers to something that can govern itself; and what would be a better option than having a fully automated gas station that can eradicate all your worries about employee safety, customer satisfaction, and of course any dangers of theft?
How does an Autonomous gas station work?
Before diving into all the benefits, costs, and all sorts of advantages you will acquire when fully equipped with this technology, we should learn about how it actually works.
Process
Let’s begin with how it works,
Let’s suppose a vehicle comes into the driveway at your gas station:
- The driveway is equipped with high-quality cameras placed at an angle where the vehicle’s number plate, the owner’s face, and other identifiable characteristics can be captured without hindrance.
- When an approaching vehicle is detected by the camera’s AI, an alarm is sent to the security monitoring center.
- A virtual guard working from the security monitoring center responds to the alarm by closely monitoring every aspect of the transaction until it is completed.
- In the event that the procedures are not followed or unforeseen difficulties arise, the remote security operator has access to a two-way intercom to communicate with the individual. When necessary, the operator has the authority to halt the transaction.
- The video footage and audio transmissions (if any) of the event are available on cloud storage to view and extract data for later use.
Technology
Certainly, when you get advanced autonomous technology like this one to optimize your business, it has to be backed up by state-of-the-art equipment and software.
Let’s examine the building blocks of a future gas station – more specifically – what we offer to materialize it.
Cameras
High-definition cameras must be installed which can include License Plate recognition cameras and Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras to ensure maximum security and recognition.
Thermal Imaging cameras can also be placed to send alerts in case of overheating, gas leaks, or hazards like a fire.
Motion Detectors
A wide variety of motion detectors, like PIR and Microwave motion detectors, can also be installed, allowing you to protect your premises in case of unforeseen circumstances and automatically identifying movements.
AI Video Analytics and Software
In addition to identifying people and objects at the fuel pump and sending alerts to your personal smart device and the remote security operator, an autonomous gas station serves other purposes as well.
For a unified and easily manageable security solution for the entire location, AI technology can be combined with surveillance software designed specifically for motion detection, identification, and live monitoring.
Intercom Assistance
It might seem like a normal feature; however, the need for intercom communication cannot be stressed enough. Remotely communicating with an operator with this autonomous experience is crucial to the safety and security of any individual or business.
A remote operator with access to an intercom will be able to give instructions, raise concerns and even intervene if they suspect malice. The virtual guard can voice any warnings and simultaneously alert security if suspicious activity is detected.
Alert Sensors
These can send an automatic alert to your smartphone and the required authorities if triggered through unauthorized access, intrusion of premises, or any smoke/fire situation.
Data Storage
Even if someone gets away with skimming, theft, vandalism, or any other crime; you can easily extract the necessary information and give it to the police, which can count as evidence in case of a lawsuit.
Sirix gives you maximum flexibility with encrypted data storage devices and clouds that can only be accessed by you or your trusted employees.
Operations Center
This is the most important element of all the technology that goes into giving you autonomous services. Benefits of technology are reaped most when machine meets human.
We guarantee maximum optimization of your business with our technology by employing a team of operators who are available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Indeed, our highly trained guards/operators ensure that your autonomous gas station is as safe as possible. They are always virtually present, monitoring your premises to provide the highest level of security.
What are the primary benefits of using an autonomous gas station?
There are a number of advantages to gas station automation including but not limited to cost-effectiveness, more accessibility, enhanced safety protocols, efficient working tools, and of course the convenience all of this will provide you.
However, let’s talk about the most important issues at hand:
Cost reduction and employee safety
What would you prefer? Spending thousands of dollars each month on a security guard and being responsible for their safety, or making a one-time investment in equipment and spending a minimal amount with stress-free reliability?
A security guard can be assaulted, threatened, or be asleep the moment a crime is being committed. They will not be available in all surrounding areas, nor can they be relied on to keep an eye on every screen sitting in a tiny compartment.
Above all, they can be easily targeted and endangered which can result in an addition to your expenses.
However, an autonomous petrol station will prevent all the above-mentioned circumstances, and you won’t even have to worry about your site’s safety anymore!
With this high-end technology, no spot will go unnoticed under the surveillance of our high-quality cameras and trained professionals. You can go to sleep peacefully, knowing that your petrol station is well-protected and well-managed.
Open at all hours
Closing at odd hours due to the unavailability of employees is surely a huge loss. Most gas stations along the freeway/highway have customers traveling to/from work at all hours of the day and night.
Working professionals like truck drivers, delivery men, and bus drivers are always in need of re-fueling their vehicles after a certain amount of time. Such people can give you a lot of business if they become regulars; however, a closed site would be a cause for concern for them and for you too.
First, an autonomous gas station would efficiently reduce your customers’ inconveniences.
Second, it would reduce the loss of potential revenue that you could have generated at those odd hours.
And third, it would eradicate any negative impact on your reputation and potential customers. They wouldn’t always prefer to stop at some other gas station thinking that your business is closed all the time.
A fully automated gas station would put an end to all these hassles and allow you to run your business smoothly and effectively, not to mention receive updates on your business’s operations from the comfort of your home.
Does an autonomous gas station abide by the rules and regulations placed for your safety?
The main concern of a person investing in an autonomous gas station would be to not violate any laws in their region.
Operating a petrol station without any employees physically present does not violate the law; however, violating employee rights, safety regulations, traffic protocols, environmental degradation, and failing to comply with zoning regulations can land you in hot water.
Keeping in check all of the above, you would be happy to know that Canadian laws allow a person to be overseeing a fuel transaction process, and for that person to have complete authority to halt the process.
Having an operator monitoring everything would be great now, wouldn’t it?
In the US, some states do not oblige the presence of an observer during fuel transactions, but there is no restriction against it either.
As far as the act of halting the transaction at any given moment is concerned, there is no legal requirement in place. Nevertheless, it can be practiced in case of emergencies, theft, or criminal activity.
It would be advisable to consult a legal expert in the area of your gas station and take the next step with complete acknowledgment.
How much would the necessary enhancements for an Autonomous Gas Station cost?
Building an autonomous gas station does not mean building it from scratch. Any regular gas station has the capacity to be fully equipped with autonomous technology and software to start working efficiently.
Let’s discuss numbers.
Hiring a security guard or personnel will cost you an average of 62 thousand dollars per year and of course an additional 20 percent for the social benefits. This is only if you pay them $21.25 per hour for only 8 hours a day for 7 days.
You need a calculator to keep up with the rising expenses of employing two to three security guards every 8 hours for 24 hours of the day.
Now, if you take a look at the massive cost reductions when you put a live video monitoring system in place, you will be astonished.
Our activation charges start at $1200 per gas station, and can lead to the capped amount if needed. The most you can spend is $7,200 (based on the type of equipment like running new wires to SIP-compliant intercom systems and other enhancements put in place).
Please note that these are only one-time investments and after paying these you will only have to pay yearly subscription charges of $ 12,744 or $1,062 monthly. *
*Note that these figures are accurate as of the time this article was written, but are subject to change at any time and may vary based on various factors.
Post-installation, this will not only save you a whopping $49,036 every year but will also ensure the highest level of security and safety which cannot be guaranteed in the presence of a watchman.
Also, think of all the hype your autonomous petroleum station will create for fascinated tech-savvy individuals.
Our Vision is your safety.
Take a step forward in modernizing your gas station and see for yourself the success it brings your way.
Sirix’s goal is to keep you and your site protected through cutting-edge cost-effective technology supported by experts whom you can trust. Long-term cost savings and safety are critical, and so are evolution and innovation. – Let your business grow with you.
FAQ’s
How does an autonomous gas station run without the presence of employees?
Automation systems and live video monitoring through remote operators ensure all the necessary safety measures which eliminate the need for an employee to be present physically.
What happens in case of an emergency like fuel spills or leakage?
There are various motion detectors and thermal imagers put in place which send an alert to the operators and alert you on your device. Also, the remote operator/virtual guard will be monitoring your site to prevent such disasters.
What if customers have any questions at an autonomous gas station?
There is an intercom service installed right next to the refueling station and anyone can easily reach out to customer service through this. A set of instructions can be placed to allow the customer to get in touch with the operator present.
Read our blogs A Beginner Guide to Remote Video Monitoring in 2023 and How Much Remote Video Monitoring Services Cost in 2023? to learn more about remote video monitoring.
