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Self-learning AI for existing CCTV systems

Activeye is a software company that develops AI-based solutions for the security and facilities management industries using a combination of analytics tools to generate rules based on site activities. Plugging into almost any CCTV system, the system observes the scene and images are processed by an AI engine in real-time to notify stakeholders of any behaviour anomalies.

The company says feeds from any general-purpose 2-megapixel IP or analogue camera are sufficient for its AI to perform, for example, facial recognition and number plate recognition. The company’s platform makes use of various analytics tools which include facial recognition, car and people counting, vehicle identification, age approximation, object identification, human-related traits and more.

The application Activeye provides is called Snap Guard. It is a cloud application that integrates into a property owner’s live CCTV feed, working with existing hardware and software, adding an additional layer of security by empowering property owners to address verified security threats remotely and in real-time.

The onboarding process is uncomplicated and fast. The process starts by pointing the motion detection alerts to the Snap Guard server using FTP or email protocols. The property owner is prompted to complete pre-populated fields related to billing, site and user details and notification preferences.

Once the required information has been provided and verified, Snap Guard is instantly integrated into the property owner’s CCTV network. It is compatible with both DVR and NVR networks so can be incorporated into almost any CCTV system.

All snapshots of movement are sent to the Snap Guard server. Using the AI machine learning technology, Snap Guard is able to identify suspicious or unusual activity and dangerous objects. If any of these are detected, the server sends an alert via the property owner’s preferred communication channel, which can include Telegram, WhatsApp, email or control room software.

The alert takes the form of a snapshot from the CCTV feed of the suspicious activity or object, together with a description of what the AI has seen that is out of the ordinary. This empowers the property owner to take swift action including contacting the local armed response company to assist (when setting up the system, a feed can be sent directly to your armed response company as well). Depending on network speed, this process can happen in a matter of seconds.

A functioning CCTV system, Internet connectivity and steady power supply is all that is required to make use of Snap Guard. No capex is required as the software can be implemented into existing CCTV systems.

Self-learning AI

The Activeye self-learning algorithms analyse all the data they receive as well as the responses from clients. The outcome is continually evolving behaviours and their corresponding rules to ensure the system improves and learns as it is used. From this, anomalous behaviour can be identified and the correct personnel alerted to the event in real-time. All alarm signals, be it intruder alarms, fence alarms or fire alarms, can be managed on a single software interface.

Snap Guard puts the power to act back in the customer’s hands. If, for instance, you are on holiday, you will be alerted of any suspicious activity at your home, in real-time, accompanied by a snapshot from the CCTV feed of what triggered the alert. You can then respond as you deem appropriate such as alerting the armed response company.

Snap Guard was developed in South Africa by the Activeye team of developers. The company is fully compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA) and registered with the Information Regulator. Snap Guard as a stand-alone product is also PoPIA compliant. In addition, Activeye complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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