The Role of Video Surveillance Beyond Security

AI-powered video surveillance is transforming the security landscape, making security operations much more efficient and productive. Traditionally, security staff would have to manually search through endless hours of footage to find key moments or individuals, which is time-consuming and prone to human error. 

But all that has changed with the advent of AI-powered video analytics, which automates the detection, tracking, and analysis of people and objects in real time. Now, CCTVs that are equipped with AI-powered video analytics allow personnel to do so much more than just surveillance. What’s more, LiDAR technologies complement CCTV systems by providing depth and spatial data that, when integrated through advanced analytics platforms, support features like fall detection. Similarly, IoT microphones enhance surveillance camera solutions with audio-detection capabilities. There is also radar detection, which utilises electromagnetic waves to detect movement and is unaffected by common triggers of false alarms, such as shifting shadows, light beams, rain, or insects. This makes it a reliable solution that minimises distractions for staff and reduces the cost of responding to false alarms.

So just how has the capability of video surveillance changed? Let’s take a look. 

Generating Insights on Customer Flow and Demographics

Canon’s Smart Surveillance solutions have revolutionised the way retail businesses collect and use data to improve both customer experience and operational efficiency. With automated people counting and heatmaps, store owners no longer need to manually gather visitor data, which is an impossible task to begin with. 

The people counting feature allows owners to automatically track the number of incoming visitors while heatmaps highlight product promotions and displays that receive a lot of attention from customers.

While the CCTV cameras capture video footage of people, LiDAR technologies provide additional spatial depth information. The latter replicates 3D maps of the store, capturing how visitors move through it. This allows store managers to identify high-traffic areas and customer movement patterns, helping them design optimal store layouts that guide shoppers to specific displays or products.

What’s more, the CCTVs with Edge-based AI can detect long queues and congestion, and then notify the manager to deploy additional crowd management measures. Should there be unauthorised entry to restricted areas, security staff are also alerted immediately. This ability to intervene swiftly helps to heighten overall security. 

Enhancing Patient Care in Healthcare Institutions

Seconds matter when attending to elderly or immobile patients who have taken a fall. But lapses will still happen even with the most vigilant roster of healthcare professionals, especially during shift changes. 

By integrating CCTV cameras with Canon’s AI-powered video analytics, every healthcare institution can now offer round-the-clock fall detection. Never sleeping and never tiring, the AI algorithms will analyse video footage to detect unusual movements that indicate a fall, such as a sudden drop in height or abnormal body posture. And through machine learning, the system can distinguish between regular activities and potential falls, reducing false alarms. In the event of a fall, the system will send out notifications to the nurses on duty and alert them to take action. Furthermore, LiDAR can also be used in sensitive spaces such as toilets to detect falls, all while ensuring privacy. 

In addition, Canon’s Smart Surveillance can detect patients when they are near exits and lifts, which are high-risk areas. This is especially useful for monitoring patients living with dementia, as they may tend to abscond.   

Attire Detection for Employees’ and Students’ Safety

In the construction industry, workers need to don personal protective equipment before they can enter specific sites. Likewise, in the laboratories, researchers and students need to wear safety goggles and lab coats to prevent injuries from accidental spills or splashes. In kitchens or food manufacturing sites, proper attire is a must as it ensures the personnel are keeping up their hygiene levels. However, not every one will follow the stipulated dress code.

Canon’s intelligent video analytics can flag when someone is not properly attired. When paired with door access control, it will also restrict access until said person puts on the required attire. It can also be integrated with wall-mounted network siren strobes, which will alert managers or command centres by emitting alarm lights or sound for immediate notification.

Crowd Management in Public Spaces

Effective crowd management in public spaces is imperative for ensuring the safety of the members of the public. Unmanaged crowds can escalate into riots that lead to property damage, injuries, and even loss of life, all while putting a strain on emergency response resources. 

In settings such as concert halls and stadiums, shopping malls, large crowds can also pose significant challenges such as accidents and security threats. Without proper management, chaos may erupt, leading to negative experiences for visitors.

With Canon’s Smart Surveillance, security personnel will have access to real-time monitoring and analysis of footfall in public areas. The people counting feature will offer insights into the number of visitors, allowing for a deeper understanding of crowd flow. By tracking dwell times and identifying peak hours, security teams can monitor areas more promptly. 

Evidently, there are many applications for Canon’s Smart Surveillance solutions. Keen to discuss how they can be utilised for your industry? Get in touch with a consultant today and learn how the solutions can supercharge your business operations.