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The evolution of smart video and the edge

Brian Mallari, Director of Product Marketing, Smart Video, at Western Digital discusses the evolution of smart video and the edge. By 2025 the global market for video surveillance cameras will grow to nearly $50 billion, according to the latest estimates by IDC. As the demand for smart video grows, paralleled by an increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this will drive the development of data architectures at the edge. AI is excellent at doing specific, narrow tasks incredibly well. The aim of AI is not to teach technology to see the world as humans do, but instead to enable computers to capture, analyse, and learn about the human world, in rapid and accurate ways. The profound value of AI comes from taking computer intelligence capabilities – such as object recognition, movement detection, and tracking or counting objects/persons – and using these in the right application. Given the utility of these applications, it’s not surprising that the amalgamation of video, artificial intelligence and sensor data is a hotbed for new services across industries. Larger and smarter use cases Smart video is a keystone of modern security and surveillance activity. However, it should also be recognised that the market is expanding through a growing amount of use cases. These include medical applications, sports analysis, factories, traffic management, and even agricultural drones. Intelligent technology is making these use cases “smart”, i.e. devices deploying intelligent insights. For example, in “smart cities”, cameras and AI analyse traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights accordingly to improve vehicle flow, reduce congestion and pollution, and increase pedestrian safety. Another example of this is “smart factories”, which implement the type of narrow tasks AI excels in, such as detecting flaws or deviations in the production line in real-time and adjusting to reduce errors. Smart cameras can be very effective in this use case at the level of quality assurance, keeping costs down through automation and earlier fault detection. Changes at the edge As smart video evolves, it’s developing in parallel to other technological and data infrastructure advancements, such as 5G. As these technologies come together, they’re impacting the architecture of the edge, and what we require from data storage. More specifically, they’re driving a demand for specialised storage. Here are some of the biggest trends currently developing: 1. Strength in numbers Having more cameras means there is more media-rich data to be captured and analysed. This means it can be used to train AI. Simultaneously, cameras are supporting higher resolutions (4K video and above). The more detailed and sharp the video, the more insights can be extracted from it, and thus the more effective the AI algorithms can become. In addition, new cameras transmit not just a main video stream but also additional low-bitrate streams, perfect for low-bandwidth monitoring and AI pattern matching. Some of the biggest challenges for these types of workloads is the fact that they’re always on. Especially necessary in the case of security, many smart cameras operate 24/7, 365 days a year, as is needed for their role. The challenge here is that storage technology must be able to keep up. One way in which storage has evolved to meet this challenge, is the development of the ability to deliver high performance data transfer speeds and data writing speed, to ensure high quality video capture. Furthermore, on-camera storage technology that can deliver longevity and reliability has become even more critical, in comparison to storage technology at a remote data centre. 2. The rich variety of endpoints The realm of security relies on more than just visual data. New types of cameras are being developed with new types of data to be analysed. Cameras can be found everywhere – atop buildings, inside moving vehicles, in drones, and even in doorbells. The location and form factor of smart cameras impacts the storage technology required. The accessibility of cameras (or lack thereof) needs to be considered – are they atop a tall building? Maybe amid a remote jungle? Such locations might need to withstand extreme temperature variations. For example, security drones monitoring a location of extreme heat. All of these possibilities need to be considered to ensure long-lasting, reliable continuous recording of critical video data. 3. AI chipsets Increasingly real-time decisions are being made at the edge at device level, due to improved compute capabilities in cameras. New chipsets are arriving for cameras that deliver improved AI capability, and more advanced chipsets offer deep neural network processing for on-camera deep learning analytics. AI keeps getting smarter and more capable. As the innovation within cameras continues, there is a rising expectation that deep learning – requiring large video data sets in order to be effective – will happen on-camera too, driving the need for more primary on-camera storage. Even for solutions that employ standard security cameras, AI-enhanced chipsets and discrete GPUs (graphic processing units) are still being used in network video recorders (NVR), video analytics appliances, and edge gateways to enable advanced AI functions and deep learning analytics. With NVR firmware and OS (operating system) architecture evolving to add such capabilities to mainstream recorders, the implications for storage are large, having to handle a much bigger workload. For example, there is a need to go beyond just storing single and multiple camera streams. Today, metadata from real-time AI and reference data for pattern matching needs to be stored as well. 4. Don’t say goodbye to the cloud The majority of the video analytics and deep learning for today’s smart video solutions is completed by discrete video analytics appliances or in the cloud. Similarly, broader Internet of Things (IoT) applications that use sensor data beyond video are also tapping into the power of the deep learning cloud to create more effective, smarter AI. To support these new AI workloads, the cloud has gone undergone a transformation. Neural network processors within the cloud have adopted the use of massive GPU clusters or custom FPGAs (field programmable gate array). They’re being fed thousands of hours of training video, and

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The evolution of smart video and the edge

News Desk / Ghyslaine Cordrey

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Video surveillance – The keystone of modern security

Industry Sectors, Product News, Technology, UK Exclusives / Editor

Smart video and the use of artificial intelligence has accelerated the video surveillance sector. It enables organisations to collate information and use/analyse it in the right way By 2025 the global market for video surveillance cameras will grow to nearly $50 billion, according to the latest estimates by IDC. As the demand for smart video grows, paralleled by an increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this will drive the development of data architectures at the edge and smart cities. AI is excellent at doing specific, narrow tasks incredibly well. The aim of AI is not to teach technology to see the world as humans do, but instead to enable computers to capture, analyse and learn about the human world, in rapid and accurate ways. The profound value of AI comes from taking computer intelligence capabilities – such as object recognition, movement detection and tracking or counting objects/persons – and using these in the right application. Given the utility of these applications, it’s not surprising that the amalgamation of video, artificial intelligence and sensor data is a hotbed for new services across industries and integral to the adoption of smart cities globally. Brian Mallari, Director of Product Marketing, Smart Video, Western Digital, explores exclusively for Security Buyer UK how smart video surveillance is integral to the running of an efficient urban environment. Larger and smarter use cases Smart video is a keystone of modern security and surveillance activity. However, it should also be recognised that the market is expanding through a growing amount of use cases. These include medical applications, sports analysis, factories, traffic management and even agricultural drones.   Intelligent technology is making these use cases “smart”, i.e. devices deploying intelligent insights. For example, in “smart cities”, cameras and AI analyse traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights accordingly to improve vehicle flow, reduce congestion and pollution and increase pedestrian safety.  Another example of this is “smart factories”, which implement the type of narrow tasks AI excels in, such as detecting flaws or deviations in the production line in real-time and adjusting to reduce errors. Smart cameras can be very effective in this use case at the level of quality assurance, keeping costs down through automation and earlier fault detection.  “Artificial Intelligence (AI) will drive the development of data architectures at the edge and smart cities” As smart video evolves, it’s developing in parallel to other technological and data infrastructure advancements, such as 5G. As these technologies come together, they’re impacting the architecture of the edge, and what we require from data storage. More specifically, they’re driving a demand for specialised storage. Here are some of the biggest trends currently developing:  Strength in numbers  Having more cameras means there is more media-rich data to be captured and analysed. This means it can be used to train AI.   Simultaneously, cameras are supporting higher resolutions (4K video and above). The more detailed and sharp the video, the more insights can be extracted from it, and thus the more effective the AI algorithms can become. In addition, new cameras transmit not just a main video stream but also additional low-bitrate streams, perfect for low-bandwidth monitoring and AI pattern matching. Some of the biggest challenges for these types of workloads is the fact that they’re always on. Especially necessary in the case of security, many smart cameras operate 24/7, 365 days a year, as is needed for their role. “The more detailed and sharp the video, the more insights can be extracted from it” The challenge here is that storage technology must be able to keep up. One way in which storage has evolved to meet this challenge, is the development of the ability to deliver high performance data transfer speeds and data writing speed, to ensure high quality video capture. Furthermore, on-camera storage technology that can deliver longevity and reliability has become even more critical, in comparison to storage technology at a remote data centre. The rich variety of endpoints The realm of security relies on more than just visual data. New types of cameras are being developed with new types of data to be analysed. Cameras can be found everywhere – atop buildings, inside moving vehicles, in drones, and even in doorbells.   The location and form factor of smart cameras impacts the storage technology required. The accessibility of cameras (or lack thereof) needs to be considered – are they atop a tall building? Maybe amid a remote jungle? Such locations might need to withstand extreme temperature variations. For example, security drones monitoring a location of extreme heat. All of these possibilities need to be considered to ensure long-lasting, reliable continuous recording of critical video data.   AI chipsets Increasingly real-time decisions are being made at the edge at device level, due to improved compute capabilities in cameras. New chipsets are arriving for cameras that deliver improved AI capability, and more advanced chipsets offer deep neural network processing for on-camera deep learning analytics. AI keeps getting smarter and more capable.   As the innovation within cameras continues, there is a rising expectation that deep learning – requiring large video data sets in order to be effective – will happen on-camera too, driving the need for more primary on-camera storage.   “The majority of the video analytics and deep learning for today’s smart video solutions is completed by discrete video analytics” Even for solutions that employ standard security cameras, AI-enhanced chipsets and discrete GPUs (graphic processing units) are still being used in network video recorders (NVR), video analytics appliances, and edge gateways to enable advanced AI functions and deep learning analytics. With NVR firmware and OS (operating system) architecture evolving to add such capabilities to mainstream recorders, the implications for storage are large, having to handle a much bigger workload. For example, there is a need to go beyond just storing single and multiple camera streams. Today, metadata from real-time AI and reference data for pattern matching needs to be stored as well. Don’t say goodbye to the cloud The majority of the video analytics and deep learning for today’s smart video solutions is completed by discrete video analytics appliances or in the cloud. Similarly, broader Internet of Things (IoT) applications that use sensor data beyond video are also tapping into the power of the deep learning cloud to create more effective, smarter AI. To support these new AI workloads, the cloud has gone undergone a transformation. Neural network processors within the cloud have adopted the use of massive GPU clusters or custom FPGAs (field programmable gate array). They’re being fed thousands of hours of training video, and petabytes of data. This cloud activity still requires specialised and robust storage: these workloads depend on the high-capacity capabilities of enterprise-class

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BriefCam and Synectics’ Synergy integration

Industry Sectors, News Desk, Technology / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Professionals in charge of delivering smart and safe city programs can now accelerate review of camera footage, more rapidly identify risks to public safety and infrastructure, and easily derive valuable operational intelligence from video content. This is thanks to a new bi-directional analytics-driven integration between BriefCam and Synectics’ Synergy command and control platform. In addition to allowing control room teams to apply sophisticated video analytics filters – colour, face matching, direction of travel for vehicles and clothing attributes – to surveillance footage, the integration enables rapid footage review by presenting objects and events of interest (that appeared over the course of a filtered time period) on screen simultaneously. “The advantage”, explained Synectics’ Product Manager, Sree Namelil, “is that authorities can dramatically reduce the amount of time and effort needed to investigate and interrogate footage – a huge benefit for teams tasked with monitoring and managing hundreds, if not thousands of cameras. These are the teams tasked with protecting the public.” The solution also allows users to receive real-time alerts when specific, pre-defined analytics criteria are met; for example, the detection of certain matches for face images, vehicle license plates, or people counts. On receipt of the alert, users then can easily access footage to quickly attain situational awareness, monitor events as they unfold, and make informed decisions about how to respond. Analytics-based alerts can also be used to trigger dynamic workflows to support effective management of the specific scenario in question, from dealing with potential COVID-related overcrowding risks to coordinating a multi-stakeholder response to a criminal event. Commenting on the development, Meni Besso, Senior Product Manager, BriefCam said: “Integrating our respective technologies means that cities, law enforcement, and any organisation that needs critical information when time is of the essence, can get what they need as quickly as possible to take decisive action.” Additionally, the integration has significant implications for intelligence-driven town and city planning as it supports the secure, data protection-compliant ‘mining’ of historical video footage for trends and insights vital to future ‘Safe City’ developments. Sree Namelil added: “What areas need more community support officers? Which access routes to bus and train stations need to be redeveloped to cope with changing foot traffic? Where might additional street lighting help to reduce crime rates? Thanks to this new development, the answers are just a few clicks away.” To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Using surveillance solutions to transform the retail experience

Industry Sectors, Middle East Exclusives, Product News, Technology / Editor

How can using video surveillance help transform the retail experience and improve security, efficiency and reduce criminal activity The retail industry has been through one of the most challenging periods in its history but is showing some positive signs of recovery. As restrictions have eased and allowed customers to return to shops, retailers have realised that there have been shifts in shoppers’ mentalities. For example, in June 2021 PwC conducted a Global Consumer Insight Pulse Survey which found that 35% of consumers believed increased health and safety measures such as controlled numbers were important when shopping in physical stores. “Surveillance technology can be implemented in a multitude of ways to help retailers remain responsive to changing demands” In addition to health concerns, there is a demand for more flexible and convenient options. Consumers increasingly want a shopping experience that is as simple, quick and, above all, as contactless as possible. In order for brick-and-mortar retail to continue to survive, it must respond to the new needs of consumers. Surveillance technology can be implemented in a multitude of ways to help retailers remain responsive to changing demands, supporting them in both improving the customer experience and store security. Louise Hobroh, Global Enterprise Segment Marketing Manager Retail and Carina Reitz, Solution Marketing Manager Network Audio for Axis Communications discuss exclusively for Security Buyer the benefits of video surveillance in the changing retail landscape. Monitoring store occupancy Surveillance solutions equipped with people counting and queue monitoring technology can be used to provide valuable information about activity within the store at any one time. The use of IP audio in these solutions can be used to both reassure shoppers of the safety measures in place and assist in controlling customer occupancy so there are not too many people in the store at the same time. If the store becomes crowded or a long queue starts to develop, two actions can be taken. When shoppers are wishing to enter the store, voice messages can be used to instruct them that they need to wait due to reaching customer capacity. Meanwhile inside the shop, staff can be alerted to open more tills, reducing the number of people queuing at a single checkout station. “Surveillance solutions equipped with people counting and queue monitoring technology can be used to provide valuable information” This is also in line with customer wishes: A recent study by Multiscope shows that over a third of the surveyed participants (39%) would like to know how many people are in a shop before they enter it. This is likely another impact of the pandemic on shoppers’ mentalities where-by they feel overcrowded spaces pose more health risks. Audio solutions can also help to disperse crowds and shorten queues through live messages alerting staff to attend the shop floor so that they can intervene. Deterring criminal activity inside and outside stores Improving the customer experience is not only about monitoring for customer needs, but also for criminal behaviour. Stores tend to be hot spots for theft, vandalism or interpersonal conflict and it is critical for security personnel to be aware of incidents. Early intervention is even more valuable, as staff can prevent incidents from escalating. Surveillance solutions with features such as sound detection can support staff in detecting undesirable activity. For example, audio analytics can be used to pick up sounds of aggression from individuals or breaking glass. After the detection of the sounds, alerts can be used in various ways to respond to the situation for example: to notify an alarm centre that can speak live to the scene and instruct security staff to the site; or enable the speaker to play a pre-recorded message that they are under surveillance and that security staff are on their way. In the self-checkout zone, video helps to prevent shrinkage. Software analyses goods in a customer’s shopping trolley based on the video image and ensures that the products are scanned correctly. By connecting this to audio capabilities, alerts can be triggered to identify non-scanning and fraud and then instruct staff to come over and check the items when necessary. Integrating voice messages into self-checkout zones can discourage criminal activity by informing individuals how to scan correctly. Losses from shoplifting can be significant – it’s been reported that European retailers lose roughly €49bn a year from shrinkage. Audio solutions can support in deterring theft inside shops by playing announcements and alerts when suspicious behaviour is detected by video cameras. For example, if a visitor lingers in a high value goods area for a long time, a voice message saying that staff will be there to support can be played. Through these actions suspicious behaviour can be addressed, ultimately leading to fewer incidents and a reduction in security personnel needed on site, saving money and time. Use of video cameras and audio solutions was implemented by RC Willey, a large home furnishings chain in the US. After deploying cameras in stores and warehouse to track inventory and spot discrepancies the stores experienced a reduction in shrinkage. In an effort to increase profits even more, the retailer added audio speakers to the security solution, to play pre-recorded messages to intruders or vandals when they were detected by cameras. As a result of the combined implementation, RC Willey found that theft and vandalism expenses dropped from $40-$50K a year to zero at its Las Vegas distribution centre, even though the location was a hot spot for criminal activity. Combining these smart technologies for monitoring criminal behaviour can impact not only inside stores, but the surrounding areas outside. If there are people loitering or gathering after opening hours, alerts can be sent to security teams and messages played to encourage groups or individuals to move on. Actions can then be taken to address suspicious behaviour. In practice, this works well. Le Piazze Center in Bologna needed to upgrade the existing surveillance system to improve efficiencies and better support security staff. By adding network audio to the solution, a passive system was transformed into a proactive instrument which could broadcast either live or

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Using surveillance solutions to transform the retail experience

Industry Sectors, Product News, Technology, UK Exclusives / Editor

Using surveillance solutions to transform the retail experience Read More »

Using surveillance solutions to transform the retail experience

Exclusives, Industry Sectors, Product News, Technology / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Using surveillance solutions to transform the retail experience Read More »

Dahua Technology’s 64-camera video surveillance system

Industry Sectors, News Desk, Product News, Technology / Ghyslaine Cordrey

A large warehouse and distribution centre is benefitting from a 64-camera video surveillance system from Dahua Technology. The site is the main UK warehouse for Pets Corner, a nationwide chain of more than 150 stores dealing with pets, pet food and pet accessories. The purpose built 43,000 square feet warehouse in West Sussex was opened last year and supplies all the UK stores and the company’s online business. The site features solar panels for lighting, heating and electric charging points and operates a zero-landfill policy. The objectives for the surveillance system are to monitor the health and safety of workers, reduce stock damage and shrinkage, and protect lorries parked in the yard overnight. Graham Denny, Director of Logistics at Pets Corner, said, “When building our new National Distribution Centre, we wanted a system that would not only give us maximum security but assist in maintaining operation and safety standards.” The cameras – installed by Urban Security Systems & Fire – comprise a mix of Dahua Starlight domes and AI bullet cameras. All have a minimum of 5MP resolution and feature AI analytics, enabling features such as ANPR, content analytics, incident detection, people counting and heat maps. Cameras have high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and edge analytics, and excellent low light performance. Cameras were colour-matched to blend in with the interior of the building by the distributor of the equipment, Oprema. The cameras are installed internally and externally, at the top and bottom of each aisle and at all delivery entry and exit points. The system is monitored out of hours by Southern Monitoring. Power is delivered over Ethernet cable, so reducing and simplifying cabling requirements. Using ePoE cameras enabled the integrator to run cable over 95m in distance, and in one case as far as 160m. Other Dahua equipment installed was a 64TB NVR, three managed ePoE Ethernet switches, and a 24-port Gigabit L2+ managed Ethernet switch. “Dahua’s level of support to us has been outstanding throughout the project, and we are also impressed with the build quality of the equipment,” said Andy Lloyd, Director of Urban Security Systems. “The PoE type cameras greatly assisted with the design and installation of the cable infrastructure and kept costs down, negating the need for additional PoE switches due to the length of cable runs.” “The results from Urban Security Systems are excellent, providing us with outstanding video imagery, which is simple to use on my laptop, desktop and phone. Therefore I would highly recommend both the Dahua CCTV system for anyone with a similar requirement and of course Urban for their great installation, large parts of which were carried out safely and professionally while we were operational,” Graham Denny added. To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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New eBook launched to help transport operators enhance their security

Industry Sectors, Technology, UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Transport operators are facing growing challenges. They need to keep services running on time amid continually changing restrictions, and factor in security, health & safety, emerging technology, and amenities. The eBook ‘Data-Driven Transport Surveillance and Security’, produced by Synectics, looks at these challenges and provides a guide to best practice solutions and approaches for tackling them using data integration and analysis. It explains how operators can connect surveillance technology with other data sources to deliver a complete picture of operations and manage responses to any given scenario. Dr Kerstin Wendt, Regional Manager at Synectics, is a contributing editor. She said, “Just imagine something going wrong with turnstiles just as a nearby sports event finishes. Passengers will of course be frustrated at not being able to get home, but there’s also a potential crush risk. By harnessing data, an open architecture system can detect the turnstiles have gone down via an access control alert, notify the maintenance team to inspect and fix the problem, and dispatch a customer liaison team to the turnstiles. “This is just one example of how the right solution can support staff with decision making, safety and even passenger satisfaction. But operators need to know the options available to them to capitalize on the opportunities data integration presents. Which is why we thought developing this e-book was so important.” The eBook contains advice for operators on: • The range of systems and data sources that can be unified on a single unified platform, and why this is beneficial • Automating management of day-to-date tasks and response protocols • Using analytics to help improve risk detection and even drive revenue generation • Safeguarding data and evidencing responsible data management • Enabling efficient collaboration between staff members, teams and external agencies such as the emergency services through secure data-sharing To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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Japan Customs and Smiths Detection to boost surveillance

Industry Sectors, News Desk, Product News, Technology / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Smiths Detection has secured a contract with Japan Customs to provide two Hi Energy 9 MeV, interlaced, dual view HCVS high-performance cargo inspection systems for screening trucks and cargo containers to Tokyo Customs at Jyonanjima and Kobe Customs at Mizushima. Installations will start in April 2022. This improved HCVS X-ray stationary screening system utilizes a new upgraded conveyor mechanism which optimises security checks by scanning whole trucks (cabin included), containers, and vehicles for threats and contraband. With the ability to discriminate between organic and inorganic materials, the HCVS reduces the need for manual inspection while producing rapid and reliable results. It is already deployed at various ports across Japan and at international ports such as Belgium’s Port of Antwerp and Israel’s Haifa Port. Japan is the world’s fourth largest importer and exporter of goods, making trade essential for its economy. In August 2021, imports and exports rose by over 20% year on year as Japan’s economy continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic. “As the volume of goods and trade increases globally, being technologically innovative is vital for establishing trust between stakeholders and maintaining the flow of goods through our local and global markets,” said Kevin Davies, Smiths Detection, Global Director Ports and Borders. “Smiths Detection is proud to support Tokyo and Kobe Customs in creating the safest port environments possible. With state-of-the-art technology and our global team, we look forward to strengthening the region’s ease of trade and securing movements of cargo around the world.” To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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