Though strategic cargo theft via deception and fraud is becoming more popular among criminals, physical cargo theft hasn’t slowed down.
Overall cargo theft surged 93% between 2022 and 2024, according to CargoNet, and according to Overhaul, a mid-2025 surge in cargo theft has been correlated to tariff-related import spikes. Overhaul’s second-quarter report shows a 33% year-over-year increase in cargo theft incidents in 2025, with data indicating that areas near freight hubs are experiencing the highest rates.
With thieves targeting storage facilities, trucks and trains, automated robotic security solutions provider Asylon is offering an uncommon solution: a robot guard dog that patrols docks, warehouses, distribution centers and more.
Its flagship perimeter security robot, DroneDogTM, has now been enhanced with 24/7 AI and human-monitoring services. Powered by Asylon’s DroneIQ platform, it is deployed as a managed service with full-stack support, maintenance and around-the-clock operations negating the need to hire robotics teams.
DroneDog, which moves similar to a live dog, has patrolled more than 150,000 miles in real-world operational environments, including scheduled patrols, alarm response, and post-incident monitoring. Asylon has executed a combined over 250,000 automated security missions via its DroneDog ground robot and Guardian drone systems at sites across the U.S.
[RELATED: Mitigating cyber-enabled cargo theft]
DroneDog is equipped with Asylon’s proprietary PupPack security payload that is fixed on top of the robot and connects to the cloud for remote operation and live streaming. Included in the PupPack is a thermal camera with 20X optical zoom, AI/ML classifiers, cloud connectivity, an expandable payload port, and anti-theft technology. All video is stored on U.S. servers. The weather-resistant robot also has onboard GPS and autonomous obstacle avoidance.
Asylon has also added a feature to its latest version of DroneDog that enables automated mission planning.
DroneDog returns to its enclosed DogHouse to recharge when not on a security mission.
