Intelligent cameras can provide a lot of valuable information.
When combined with data from other systems, intelligent cameras can provide valuable insights that optimize business processes.
In this article, we will discuss five successful applications of smart cameras.
When Video Content Analysis (VCA), Intelligent Video Analysis (IVA) or just ‘a smart camera’ was introduced more than 10 years ago, we thought it would make many security systems obsolete.
By now, we all know the enthusiastic sales stories and demo videos, but we also know that expectations and reality – especially in the beginning – were quite different from each other.
Nevertheless, the number of applications of smart cameras has increased enormously.
Today, many IP security cameras are prepared for or even equipped with VCA as standard.
In addition, the operation of the intelligent cameras has improved considerably, partly because the processors have become faster.
In many cases, the analysis is already done in the camera, so there is no need for separate heavy servers to analyze the images centrally.
Thanks to these developments, intelligent cameras are now widely and successfully applied.
Below are five successful examples.
1. People counting at stores or service points
All kinds of separate, expensive systems are available for accurate counting of people.
But did you know that you can also use (your existing) security cameras for this?
In stores or at certain service points, cameras are already regularly used to carry out counts.
The (already present) camera system can indicate the busiest and quietest times of the day.
As a result, the store occupancy or, for example, the security can be adjusted.
And if it is found that someone has been standing at a scaffolding for more than x period of time, a report can be given to the staff.
The camera system also provides insight into where in a room people are during the day.
This can be done, for example, by heat mapping, but also by setting certain detection areas in the camera, such as the area in front of the information desk.
The intelligent system offers complete trend reports that can be set up entirely according to your wishes.
This application not only helps to make store occupancy and monitoring more efficient, but also contributes to improved customer satisfaction by proactively optimizing staff deployment.
2. Queue detection at ATMs or cash registers
Waiting times at ATMs or cash registers are undesirable and generally reduce customer satisfaction.
Banks and retail companies need management information in order to optimize processes if necessary.
A smart camera system can not only count how many people are in the queue, but also record how long each person has been in line or when someone leaves the queue.
And if people are waiting longer than 2 minutes or the queue is longer than a certain number of people, the system can send a notification.
In combination with data from the ATM or cash register itself, processes can be improved if necessary.
These insights allow companies to more accurately align employee scheduling and customer flows, leading to shorter wait times and higher customer satisfaction.
3. Forensic Analysis
With VCA software, it is also possible to quickly analyze camera images after an incident.
For example, it is possible to select on specific properties, such as color in a certain area.
For example, when there is a description of a perpetrator wearing a red coat.
Only the events in a certain period that meet this property (red color in a certain area) are then quickly displayed.
Such analyses are not carried out in the cameras themselves, but centrally by a dedicated server.
4. Outdoor security without human intervention
In order to optimally secure your building, it is important that a burglary attempt is detected as early as possible.
Wherever possible, outside.
Surveillance cameras equipped with intelligent software automatically detect when someone enters a certain area and can also automatically generate actions ranging from a notification to a specific action directed against the intruder.
As a result, human intervention via a control room, for example, is no longer necessary.
VCA software can detect weather conditions such as snow, but in certain cases, additional technology, such as thermal cameras, is needed for optimal security.
5. Wander detection in healthcare
In (long-term) healthcare, there is an increasing need for technical tools that improve the care process.
Security cameras monitor when a resident starts to wander or is no longer in their bed.
Cameras can also provide remote care during times when hands at the bedside are scarce.
The idea that a system is constantly vigilant without nocturnal disturbance by a caregiver doing his/her rounds gives many elderly people a pleasant feeling.
While there is some privacy intrusion, this is often offset by the sense of security that the system provides.
Of course, the system must be properly protected against external intrusion.
6. Prevention against aggression
In healthcare, we are also seeing an increase in aggression against healthcare staff in, for example, hospitals. Patients want to be helped quickly, and when this isn’t always possible, it can lead to frustration. The corona pandemic has increased the pressure on healthcare, which has led to an increase in aggression. That is why bodycams are used in hospitals . Visibly wearing bodycams and warning that people are being filmed has a preventive effect. Conditions for success The application of intelligent cameras remains a job for specialists. In order to get the most out of a system with smart cameras, it is important that it works reliably and accurately. To do this, the system must be carefully set up by specialists, taking into account numerous factors. Mactwin advises to do a Proof of Concept in advance, so that initially unforeseen circumstances are also included in the final set-up. A carefully designed system not only increases security, but can also deliver operational efficiencies and cost savings. In many cases, you don’t even have to purchase a separate system for this, but you can use the existing camera system! By combining camera information with data from other systems, you can optimize both your security and your business processes.