Farmers announced in 2021 plans to explore the use of robot technology to assist with in-field claims and property inspections, helping efficiency while becoming one of the first national P&C insurers to deploy a digitally controlled robot, ROSIE.
ROSIE’s agility, advanced mobility, and perception to navigate various rough terrain is aimed at providing Farmers’ claims employees access to areas that might be deemed unsafe or inaccessible. With the help of ROSIE, Farmers’ claims department has been given the opportunity to put “virtual eyes” on scenarios that may include inspections at non-occupied homes or commercial facilities after events like fires, severe hail, explosions, or other potentially dangerous situations that might not be suitable to visit on-site, augmenting and optimizing the processing of claims in the aftermath of a loss.
ROSIE can be fitted with a variety of sensors and cameras that can help capture photos, thermal imaging, retrieve items with the robot’s moveable arm, take measurements, and/or in some cases potentially detect gas leaks in a variety of environments, all while the operator and any other persons including a customer remain safely outside the property.
At Farmers, we look for ways to help protect the safety of employees and customers at loss sites. With the increased frequency of weather-related catastrophes, Farmers wanted to think outside the box with the application of new and emerging technologies. We searched for technology that could allow Farmers Claims Representative to be onsite to process a claim all while remaining safely outside a property deemed unsafe to enter.
After ideation and careful examination of our options, the application of robotics came to mind which led the Farmers Claims Innovation team to engage in dialogue with Boston Dynamics, a known leader in robotics. Robots developed by Boston Dynamics are used by several industries, from power and utilities to first responders, to help keep their people and stakeholders as safe as possible. As Farmers explored claims inspection technologies, we recognized the potential for utilizing the technology ROSIE offers.
