printer friendly version

AI + IoT = AIoT

AIoT is the next big technology trend, combining two major trends, AI and IoT, so that the result is much more than the sum of its parts. To understand this powerful mix, we should first recall what we mean by AI and IoT in relation to video surveillance.

Artificial intelligence is about enabling video cameras and systems to perform tasks they were previously unable to do. This is achieved through smart algorithms that enable complex analytics and the ability to learn using machine learning (ML), both yield AI video analytics on the edge.

Internet of Things is about networking devices so that communication and the exchange of large amounts of data in real-time is possible. By networking video cameras and other systems, complex processes can be automated in retail, manufacturing, smart cities and other areas.

Artificial Internet of Things in video surveillance combines the best of both worlds, AI video analytics and the Internet of Things to turn CCTV cameras into smart business all-rounders that are no longer limited to delivering raw video footage in security applications.

Azena aims to make the use of IoT and AI for video cameras easier and more flexible than ever before. For this, they have created an open Platform with Camera OS and Application Store.

Turning simple video surveillance into smart computer vision

The following applications are implemented with Azena, running AI video analytics apps via edge computing in the cameras and controlling other systems.

1. Retail. Automate and custom in-store communication to trigger purchases. The days of generic advertising in stores are over. If retailers want to keep up with the latest online trends, the metaverse, and Web 3.0, they need to create shopping experiences that are tailored to their customers. Smart video technology makes this possible without having to add staff.

Connecting smart video cameras with in-store displays creates a completely new type of communication system. Cameras equipped with AI video analytics, for example, detect which colours a customer prefers and trigger a nearby display to show an ad for a matching product.

Azena has a white paper focused on retail at www.azena.com/whitepaper/retail.

2. Public transportation. During the pandemic, hygiene regulations must be observed, e.g. in a bus by occupying each double seat with only one person. But even beyond the pandemic, occupancy management is essential to provide passengers with an excellent experience.

Smart video cameras that detect which seats are occupied and which are available can keep drivers informed about occupancy on the bus at all times. Connected to a passenger routing system, the cameras could lead elderly people to free seats via red and green light signals.

See the Azena public transportation white paper at www.azena.com/whitepaper/railway-and-metro

3. Commercial buildings. Making parking management more efficient. The larger and more complex commercial buildings are, the more difficult it is for security managers to reliably monitor access. While access management via facial recognition can be challenging under GDPR or PoPIA, cars can be easily identified by licence plate recognition.

Smart CCTV cameras equipped with AI video analytics can not only recognise licence plates and vehicle types, but also clarify access authorisation in one single operation. Connected to barriers and traffic light systems, the cameras can automatically control entry and exit.

Download the commercial buildings white paper at www.securitysa.com/*azena2.

4. Manufacturing. Comply with safety and health standards. Health protection is key in manufacturing and is therefore taken very seriously by safety managers. Weaknesses in safety concepts often result from human behaviour, carelessness or just plain laziness. This is where smart technology can help enforce regulations.

Just as smart video cameras can detect whether the staff is wearing masks to protect against COVID, they can also detect whether manufacturing workers are wearing protective gear such as helmets and vests. Connected to alarm systems, they can automatically initiate appropriate actions.

Azena’s manufacturing white paper is at www.azena.com/whitepaper/manufacturing.

Unleash the power of AIoT

Azena focuses on empowering individual surveillance cameras or complete systems to perform complex tasks combining edge computing and AI video analytics. Well-known manufacturers supply the cameras that run the Azena OS (www.azena.com/cameras) and can be equipped with AI video analytics from Azena’s Application Store (https://store.azena.com/shop/). Getting started in video surveillance AIoT is easier than ever with Azena.

This article has been shortened. The full version is available at www.securitysa.com/*azena1

Share this article:

Further reading: