AI CCTV – Artificial Intelligence surveillance
AI features today are very much part of CCTV systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that can be inbuilt in CCTV security cameras themselves or used as part of CCTV video analytic software and Network Video Recorders (NVRs) that form part of CCTV systems.
What is AI CCTV?
AI technologies uses computer science and data to enable problem solving in machines.
AI powered cameras are IP cameras with advanced analytical functions such as face and vehicle detection and licence plate recognition using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Advanced video analytics software is built into the security camera and video recorder enabling artificial intelligence advanced features and functionality.
AI learning
The crucial and clever part of AI is that it can be trained to identify and learn patterns and parameters, similar to the human brain.
Machine learning and deep learning are both types of AI. With machine learning, computer systems with AI can automatically adapt and learn from experience without being explicitly programmed.
However, a machine can also be trained by inputted data to follow a set of rules, i.e. algorithms, to give superior, advanced features when it comes to security.
AI technologies and algorithms are already being used by online retailers, such as Amazon, to recommend other products based on your purchase patterns and selections. Streaming services, for example Netflix and Spotify, use algorithms to push and recommend programmes and music based on your past selection and taste. Social media will use this learning and algorithms to push relevant advertising and promotions based on your likes and interactions.
Deep learning is derived from machine learning and is a process and method that teaches computers to process data in an artificially neural way – similar to the human brain. Machine learning techniques layer algorithms and computing units – or neurons – into artificial neural networks that will mimic the human brain. Deep learning processes can learn and recognise complex properties, trends and patterns using imagery, sounds, text and other data. By doing this, AI deep learning will give more accurate results, outcomes and insights as well as predictions.
Algorithms or pre-defined parameters and steps are utilised to train deep learning models through computers to arrive at the desired outcome and to give certain insights for specific requirements, whether for security, decision making, marketing, strategic or operational purposes.
Deep learning technology is already used in everyday products including fraud detection, voice activated, online and digital assistants and face recognition and face detection.
AI used with CCTV
When CCTV video is recorded, captured and stored, it records hundreds of hours of video data which can be used and analysed. With this insightful analysis, the video footage becomes actionable and more valuable in how it can be used and processed. For example, insights gained from video footage can drive strategy and decision making, the ability and speed of detecting crime and suspicious behaviour will become easier and faster, and surveillance and business operations are more streamlined and effective.
Retailers are able to drive revenue growth with insightful footage and analytics, increasing customer loyalty, strategic decision making and improving customer service and their experiences.
Computational photography and CCTV systems
Computational photography uses computing techniques such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and algorithms to capture images and improve image quality.
AI takes computational photography to a superior level. With AI technology and machine learning algorithms, CCTV cameras are able to recognise subjects and scenes, enhance details, reduce noise and predict and counteract motion blur – all in real time. AI maximises the image quality of a security camera that is captured in low light, as well as recognises and enhances faces to give superior quality images.
Setting the rules for Artificial Intelligence
AI will utilise rule-based intelligence. Data inputted will set the rules for the AI system, and the system only responds only to those rules, powered by its deep learning.
Rules and parameters that are tailored to security requirements can be defined and set up to trigger alerts. Rules can include the restriction of humans or vehicles from certain areas, at specific times of day or night. More complex rules can be defined, such as tracking the direction humans and vehicles take, or tracking vehicles entering a premises.
Using AI software, images from security cameras are analysed in order to recognise humans, vehicles and objects that display unusual and out of pattern behaviour taken from the learned rules and algorithms, and thus trigger automatic alerts.
Person detection
AI CCTV systems and cameras give superior intruder detection for suspicious and criminal activity and acts of theft. With AI deep learning, body and facial movements can be learned, tracked and analysed. The ‘normal and typical’ behaviour of a person is learned and defined by AI technology, giving a better outcome to identify an intruder.
Object detection
Using rule-based intelligence, AI and video analysis tools enable security teams to detect potential criminal and suspicious activity in advance and more proactively, pre-empting possible events before they happen rather than reacting to situations. CCTV security based on artificial intelligence makes security events more predictable in order to initiate countermeasures and protect the environment and people.
A key component of Artificial Intelligence for pre-empting situations is through object detection. Object detection includes capture, analysis and metadata extraction of an object’s properties. These can include:
• Object type, i.e. humans, vehicle, laptop, bicycle, cat, dog, bird.
• Location and size
• Colour
• Persistence
• Motion tracking
• Presence and absence in zones of interest
• Counting
Vehicle monitoring features includes type, make and model of car, colour and car registration plate number through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Movement, intrusion and loitering detection is possible as the AI CCTV analyses actions and behaviours of human, vehicle and other objects. If behaviours and actions of objects are outside of normal behavioural parameters, automatic alerts are instantly generated and sent to security staff. Unusual movements can include stopping, speeding up, turning or reversing direction. Items being moved from one area to another can also be detected.
Face Recognition
Face detection and recognition are also possible using AI facial recognition CCTV cameras and systems.
Faces can be matched accurately with automatic AI recognition software and suspects alerted to security staff instantly to intercept potential situations and events. Read more about AI facial recognition CCTV here.
AI insights and analytics
As well as providing a security and detection aspect to identify criminals and suspects using their facial features, AI offers other marketing and strategic information which can be captured using facial recognition, including gender and age demographics, and expressions.
CCTV camera systems with AI technology
CCTV cameras are sophisticated and have a range of camera settings and functionalities to integrate with AI learning, delivering holistic, superior security surveillance. CCTV cameras have panoramic 180 and 360- degree overviews, multi-directional coverage in wide-areas, remote zoom, adjustment control and image stabilisation to investigate objects in more detail and give clear, crisp images. They have functionality to give exceptional detail in any light and dark conditions, including low light and in shadows. Some cameras have built-in infrared illuminators and thermal imaging.
These multi-function, high-definition IP cameras, combined with the AI technology, can give real-time, 24/7 analysis and trigger alarm warnings based on suspicious activity and behaviour.
AI cameras can be predefined and set to trigger an event when the camera detects objects crossing a defined virtual line. This boosts the surveillance capabilities for security staff and for perimeter monitoring.
Tagging and tracking
Areas, zones and perimeters that are predefined can be monitored to detect for any breaches or intrusions in all directions. Incidents are alerted immediately for rapid response, and objects tagged and followed throughout their path.
Objects, including people and vehicles, can be tagged by the CCTV system using a red rectangle, for instance, and clearly tracked automatically, making it easy to monitor.
View multiple cameras
IP CCTV cameras can be networked and centralised, which allows monitoring and viewing of IP camera systems installed at multiple locations, on the same site or on a number of sites for holistic security detection.
Marketing and business insights with AI CCTV
CCTV AI technology is not only used for security monitoring, it’s increasingly used to capture marketing insights and to understand customer demographics and purchasing behaviour in business premises during opening hours.
People counting and heat maps
AI provides people counting and heat maps to identify trends and peak times, maximise staffing and operations and identify popular departments and products. CCTV gives observational opportunities when understanding how people move through a business premises, what they do and how they purchase.
Demographic breakdowns, such as gender and age, can be captured, as well as people’s expressions, moods and attitudes, which is captured through AI facial recognition.
CCTV Video Analytics driven by Artificial Intelligence
CCTV Video Analytics software collect the data in real time from the CCTV security systems to assess and gain valuable insights into target audiences and customers using behaviour analysis, people counting, heatmaps and footfall information.
Driven by AI, CCTV Video Analytics offer exciting new opportunities to increase sales and profits and improve customer service and experience.
Retailers are benefiting from CCTV video analytics software in a variety of ways, including monitoring store performance, improving customer experience, increasing consumer interaction and customer loyalty.
Video analytics help retailers implement and adjust product placement and understand in-store traffic to increase sales. This will give insights into behaviours of customers trends and patterns of customer behaviour. A greater understanding of a store’s layout, product placements, displays and promotions and how customers are interacting can inform business decisions and directions, improve performance and utilise retail space to optimise sales and customer retention.
Retailers can obtain a clear understanding of customers’ journeys and patterns when shopping or eating and how they behave, for example where they pause and slow down, what is of no interest and what is of great interest. How long customers dwell or remain on a business premises, and where they remain, pass and go to, can give valuable insights into how well products, shop displays and promotions are performing, for instance. The layout and its effectiveness and performance of a retail or hospitality outlet can be observed by footfall and measuring the volume of people at any one time.
AI software also provide heat maps which shows the volume of customers visiting certain areas, products or displays, as well as what products catch a customer’s attention and what amount of time is spent in a certain area.
Tracking and monitoring a customer’s experience is vital. Identifying any overcrowded areas or bottlenecks will help to create the best customer experience possible and ensure that checkout and cashier points are optimised and operate efficiently.
Customers’ shopping behaviours and other parameters such as average times spent in-store including bounce or return to certain retail outlets, plus more insights are analysed and gleaned combined with conversion calculations based on point-of-sale data and consumer volume.
CCTV can also be used to monitor vehicles, including monitoring busy car parking areas and areas where there are bottlenecks and issues, leading to potential overcrowding or accidents.
The accuracy of AI camera systems and CCTV
AI CCTV cameras gives significantly more accuracy than the human eye for surveillance. AI reduces false alarms, wasted time and resources, enabling security monitoring to be highly responsive to incidents.
Factors such as poor weather, mist and fog, low light, shadows, glaring, bright light or obstructive objects can affect monitoring and detection. However, AI cameras using learning and algorithms will continue to monitor accurately and simultaneously to detect issues. Because there is less human error in surveillance and monitoring, the number of false alarms and wasted time looking at incidents is drastically reduced.
Artificial Intelligence ensures that security monitoring and decisions are based on facts, actions and actual visual evidence, rather than assumptions by security staff which could be wrong or biased.
We provide CCTV systems with AI capability, including AI facial recognition CCTV. Contact us to find out more, we offer a free site survey to plan the best CCTV system for you.