Metaverse

RealWear, the pioneer of assisted reality wearable solutions for frontline industrial professionals, has won "Best Manufacturing and Industrial Solution" at the XR Today Awards 2023. The annual XR Awards celebrate the best in AR/VR/MR innovation, and the online event invites international firms and individuals to come forward to showcase their achievements in the immersive industry. The win follows RealWear being named "Best Industrial Solution", "Best Construction Solution" and "Best Automotive Solution" at last year’s awards. Group of industry professionals Out of the almost 400 entries for this year’s event, only 16 applicants walked away a winner. XR Today gathered an esteemed group of industry professionals to judge the event; each selected expert representing a wealth of industry insight and diversity.  This year’s judges included Amy LaMeyer, the Managing Partner of the WXR Fund, Amy Peck, the Founder & CEO of EndeavorXR, Sophia Moshasha, the VP of the VR/AR Association’s DC Chapter, Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, Associate Director of the Centre for Immersive Technologies, Amelia Kallman, London Futurist, Speaker, Author, Tom Ffiske of Immersive Wire, Yanna Zhu, a Metaverse & XR Specialist at BCG, and Jay Latta, an Emerging Technology Strategist. RealWear wins at XR Today Awards 2023 RealWear's unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge assisted reality solutions “We’re immensely proud of our continued industry recognition. Having won in three separate categories just last year, and now being recognised as the Best Manufacturing and Industrial Solution, it’s a testament to our customer-focused solution strategy,” stated Jon Arnold, Vice President of EMEA at RealWear. He adds, “This recognition from XR Today highlights the substantial value we bring to our customers through our innovative solutions. RealWear's unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge assisted reality solutions for the manufacturing and industrial sectors has played a pivotal role in securing this prestigious accolade.” RealWear Navigator® 520 RealWear headsets are considered the gold standard of wearables for the modern frontline professional. Its flagship device, RealWear Navigator® 520, enables frontline professionals to pull up schematics and blueprints, conduct guided workflows, and leverage AI and computer vision to identify parts defects in real time.With this latest honour from XR Today, RealWear reaffirms its commitment to delivering transformative solutions that revolutionise the future of work.

SecuX, a blockchain security and cryptocurrency hardware wallet company, has announced its collaboration with Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity major firm, launching W20 Trend Micro edition cold wallet pre-loaded with Trend Micro ChainSafer blockchain reputation service. The W20 offers users comprehensive protection covering Web2 and Web3, enhancing authentication, anti-counterfeiting, and anti-fraud capabilities.  Users of the SecuX W20 Trend Micro edition cold wallet can enjoy one year of free ChainSafer security protection provided by Trend. By mitigating the risks associated with scams and security gaps in cryptocurrency and NFT transactions, users can more securely manage digital assets stored in Web3. The recently launched SecuX Nifty-X NFT cold wallet also comes with a free one-year ChainSafer premium service. Cryptocurrency trading risks continue to rise SecuX Technology has steadfastly committed to protecting users' digital assets in increasingly complex and volatile cryptocurrency trading. While full of potential, the market has witnessed a surge in illicit activities, including a staggering $100 million worth of NFTs stolen between July 2021 and 2022. Recognising these rising threats, SecuX has focussed on enhancing security and protection at all levels, pioneering the charge in developing blockchain security products and services. Author's quote SecuX has always prioritised security, striving to enhance protection and safety at all levels" Peter Chen, Chairman of SecuX Technology, addressed this commitment: "SecuX has always prioritised security, striving to enhance protection and safety at all levels, ensuring the development of the highest quality blockchain security products and services." He adds, "We are honoured to have the opportunity to leverage Trend's outstanding cybersecurity expertise built over the past 30 years, allowing SecuX users to manage their assets with peace of mind in a more secure environment and without worries, ultimately providing a better user experience." Phishing scams prevention and cold wallets Trend's global footprint and expertise in cybersecurity is a perfect ally for SecuX's emphasis on user security. Trend's Metaverse security program, led by Sam Ku, is designed to protect users against threats, particularly in the emerging Web3 environment. Sam underscores the evolving risks from viruses, fraud, and phishing, which threat actors continually exploit. Ku said, "From the inception of blockchain technology to the recent rise of the metaverse, Trend has been at the forefront of cybersecurity research to prepare for unforeseeable risks. We are excited to collaborate with SecuX. With Trend's cybersecurity expertise, we provide end-to-end protection from the first line of defense to securing cold wallet devices and safe-guarding cryptocurrency transactions."  Leveraging SecuX's unwavering commitment to secure digital asset management and Trend's cybersecurity expertise, this collaboration promises a safer future for users within the cryptocurrency space.  W20 Trend Micro edition hardware wallet W20 wallet comes with Trend Micro's exclusive ChainSafer blockchain credibility rating service Trend Micro ChainSafer Blockchain Reputation Service + Easy to Use Cold Wallet: Protecting Digital Assets Has Never Been Easier! SecuX and Trend Micro have collaborated to launch the W20 Trend Micro edition hardware wallet, focussing on providing users with enhanced security features. The W20 wallet comes with Trend Micro's exclusive ChainSafer blockchain credibility rating service, offering improved anti-counterfeiting and anti-fraud capabilities for Web2 and Web3 authentication. The wallet incorporates security features to eliminate security risks and human errors, such as storing the private key offline in an Infineon Secure Element chip, a large 2.8-inch touchscreen enabling hands-on clear-sign, and cross-chain support for over 10,000 cryptocurrencies and Ethereum NFTs. Compatible with existing antivirus software, the wallet offers an extra layer of protection. Trend Micro's ChainSafer blockchain reputation service W20 users will receive one year of free Trend Micro ChainSafer blockchain reputation service protection, while users of other SecuX wallets can download it for a fee. The two companies also plan to offer scam-alert services to users of the recently launched SecuX Nifty-X, the premium metallic edition of the world's first NFT hardware wallet, as well as the security-themed soulbound NFT project MnemonicX 2048. The W20 hardware wallet, powered by Trend Micro's ChainSafer blockchain reputation service, acts as a comprehensive antivirus engine for digital assets like cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and wallets. Trend also plans to introduce the ChainSafer browser, designed to block phishing websites, detect malicious sites or scam links, and display warning windows when users connect to websites, further enhancing cryptocurrency transaction security.

Strained supply chains, geopolitical uncertainties, skilled-labour shortages and climate change are increasing the pressure to digitalise and automate value chains – always with the aim of becoming faster, more adaptable and more resilient.  For this reason, Siemens will use ‘Accelerate Transformation’ as its motto for Hannover Messe 2023, where it will be showcasing how new offerings from its open, digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, enable customers’ digital transformation in industry and infrastructure faster and at scale. Using the concrete example of an industrial plant for battery production, Siemens will show how to rapidly transform production facilities to enable manufacturing operations that are digital from end to end.  Live stage program In addition, the Siemens Digital Experience Platform enables virtual visits to the Siemens booth – which, at a total of 2,800 square meters, is Hannover Messe’s largest. Siemens’ activities at the tradeshow will be accompanied by a live stage program featuring members of the Siemens AG Managing Board along with experts, partners and customers. German Chancellor - Olaf Scholz plans to visit the tradeshow’s biggest booth. The Siemens Digital Experience Platform enables virtual visits to the Siemens booth “At Hannover Messe, we will be showing how Siemens combines the real and digital worlds and thus helps its customers to become more competitive, more resilient and more sustainable,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. He adds, “The next step in the digital transformation is the industrial metaverse: a model of the real word – and of all its physical characteristics – that is always online. People can collaborate in real time to continuously optimise the virtual world. In this way, we make the real world better, more efficient and, in particular, more resource-efficient.” Combine operational technology Siemens’ presence at Hannover Messe will focus on innovations and new offerings for all aspects related to the Siemens Xcelerator digital business platform. This platform, which launched in June 2022, has grown and developed continuously ever since. At its core is a curated portfolio of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled hardware and software. Together with a powerful partner ecosystem and a marketplace, Siemens Xcelerator supports companies in their digital transformation. Now, significant updates and additions are being presented at Hannover Messe. With Industrial Operations X, Siemens is setting a new benchmark with a broad range of products and services for industry. These offerings combine operational technology (OT) with integrated information technology (IT). IT technologies are brought to the shopfloor with a new level of modularity: low code, edge, cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) combined with automation technology and digital services. Open and interoperable portfolio This open and interoperable portfolio will further accelerate today’s production processes This open and interoperable portfolio will further accelerate today’s production processes, which are already well automated. The result will be a more adaptive form of manufacturing that is also more autonomous and, at the same time, people centric.  “The whole world loves IT, but the world runs on automation that uses operating technology, or OT,” said Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Digital Industries, adding “By combining the real and digital worlds like no other company, we make our customers faster, more adaptable and more ecofriendly.” Open digital platform Siemens will also present Building X and its cloud-native applications: Energy Manager, Security Manager and Operations Manager. These applications have been designed to support high-performance, safe and sustainable buildings in various environments, including production and manufacturing sites and commercial buildings. Building X is built on Siemens Xcelerator design principles as a modular, fully cloud-based, open smart-building platform. It features artificial-intelligence-enabled applications, strong connectivity and built-in cybersecurity. Siemens will also present Building X and its cloud-native applications Customers can use Building X as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, on a subscription basis, or opt for an end-to-end offering of building services. With Building X, Siemens aims to create the industry’s most open digital platform for buildings – a platform that enables customers to benefit from enhanced built environments and services in order to make intelligent decisions about their buildings, assets and workforce. Reducing environmental impact “The digitalisation of buildings, grids and electrification infrastructure is key to driving a smarter, more efficient and decarbonised industrial sector,” said Matthias Rebellius, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure. “At Hannover Messe, we are demonstrating how the combination of software from our Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and hardware enables our customers to improve the performance of commercial buildings and industrial facilities, lower costs and reduce environmental impact to futureproof their businesses.” Siemens will reveal its switchgear innovation for primary distribution networks Siemens will also reveal its newest switchgear innovation for primary distribution networks using vacuum-interrupter technology and Clean Air as an insulating medium with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 1.  Economically strongest country As a result, this solution is climate friendly and completely free of fluorinated gases. For key functionalities, this switchgear has integrated sensors that can be connected to software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio. This year’s Partner Country for Hannover Messe is Indonesia. As the economically strongest country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been an important market for Siemens for more than 165 years. In the Partner Country’s Pavilion in Hall 2, Siemens will be showing exhibits this year from the areas of industry, infrastructure, transportation and energy.

2N, the global market pioneer in internet-enabled intercoms and access control systems, has launched an augmented reality app, 2N AppeAR, that allows architects, engineers, integrators, and installers to see how the company’s products would look if incorporated into their projects. 2N AppeAR For every 2N product, 2N AppeAR provides detailed 3D models, technical information, useful videos, and the option to view them disassembled. It also enables ‘virtual installation’ so that architects and installers can ensure that the 2N product they have chosen is the right fit for their project. They simply point their phone at the place they are considering installing the device and an augmented reality image of it appears on the screen as if it were in the room. Through the app, they can then evaluate the products for size, shape, and positioning, as well as try out different colour variations. Survey findings The app is a response to a 2N survey run with architects and installers, which emphasised the importance of design The app is a response to a survey that 2N ran with architects and installers, which emphasised the increasing value that their customers place on getting every detail of the building right and, specifically, on the importance of design.  In workplaces, this reflects the conclusions of other industry experts, including Knight Frank, who indicated that one of the top workplace trends for 2022 was the race towards quality space, with high-end design playing an important role in creating an office environment that employees consider worthy of the commute. Using 2N tools The feedback from 2N’s partners was clear: not only do architects and installers prioritise well-designed products, but they also want to understand what they will look like in situ before making a final decision. 2N AppeAR follows two other 2N tools that have proved particularly popular with architects: 2N Virtual Experience, a 3D animation tool to facilitate the planning process and help ensure that the best possible access control solution is proposed for each project, and 2N Project Designer, a step-by-step guide to save partners time when planning both commercial and residential installations. Access control 2N AppeAR means that they no longer have to imagine our solutions, they can visualise them" Michael Nicholson, Business Development Manager for the UK & Ireland at 2N, said, “Access control only amounts to about 0.1% of the total cost of a building’s construction, but there is a growing understanding of its importance in terms of aesthetics as well as security." "Our customers care about great design because beautiful devices enhance the value of their projects. Understandably, they, therefore, want to be able to see how the products will look. 2N AppeAR means that they no longer have to imagine our solutions. Now, they can visualise them.” R&D and product development  2N’s focus on design starts at the very beginning of the product development process. The company invests 14% of its turnover in R&D, a significantly higher figure than many of the largest technology companies, prioritising the combination of design and functionality at every stage. Three 2N products: the 2N® IP Style, the 2N® IP Verso, and the 2N® Indoor Touch have recently won the Red Dot Design Awards, one of the most prestigious awards available for product design. The 2N® IP Style also won a German iF award for product design innovation. 2N AppeAR is already available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Wipro Lab45, the innovation lab of the technology services and consulting company, Wipro Limited announced the launch of its Decentralised Identity and Credential Exchange (DICE) ID, which puts users in control of their personal data and enables faster, easier, and more secure sharing of private information online.  DICE ID  Powered by blockchain technology, DICE ID enables the issuance and verification of tamper-proof, self-verifiable digital credentials. DICE ID stores verified personal information from certified issuers in an identity wallet owned by the user. All data is encrypted and embedded and only received by the user in their own identity wallet. This digital wallet can be used to share identity or credentials for a wide range of purposes including current or potential employers, healthcare or financial services providers, or educational institutions. Blockchain technology DICE ID puts users in control of their personal data, enabling them to decide how much to reveal DICE ID puts users in control of their personal data, enabling them to decide exactly how much and what type of information they want to reveal in digital settings. “DICE ID leverages the core tenets of blockchain technology to transform the way consumers manage their online identities,” said Subha Tatavarti, Chief Technology Officer, Wipro Limited. Easy and safe data management “Current online identification relies on the use of single sign-on services, requiring users to share personal data with multiple third parties. DICE ID gives the power back to the individual, making it easier and safer than ever to manage to share of personal data on digital platforms." "We believe decentralised identity and verifiable credentials technology will become a game-changer resulting in a metamorphosis of the identity space. And we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this innovative technology.”  W3C open data model DICE ID leverages W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) verifiable credential open data model, which makes credentials machine-readable and interoperable and allows for the secure exchange between ecosystem players. Piloted by select clients since September 2022, DICE ID is already being applied in many ways, particularly proving powerful in credential verification for talent/crowd-sourcing purposes.  Applications Among the use cases for DICE ID are: Ed-tech organisations, colleges, and crowdsourcing communities are using DICE ID to create a talent exchange ecosystem through portable skill credentials for learners and freelancers. Fintech and financial institutions are using DICE ID to handle users' consent and share their data while preserving their privacy and confidentiality. Health-tech startups are using DICE ID to safeguard medical data, enhancing patients’ trust in their platform. Government-affiliated institutions are using DICE ID to help citizens prove their eligibility for benefits and other social schemes. Metaverse platforms are using DICE ID to create Sybil-resistant communities through pseudonymous identities for avatars. 

For many years, too many people have associated security with disengaged officers, offering a limited set of skills and reluctantly performing and recording a minimum set of daily tasks.  While customers may have been aware of these flaws, many have not prioritised security and, as a result, their security has continued in the same shape and design over lengthy periods, becoming outdated and ineffective. Common complaints Common complaints have included security being too reactive to incidents or providing limited and inadequate service delivery reporting. The officers themselves often cite a sense of loneliness, with an under-investment in training and development and a lack of connection to their head office and colleagues leading to their disengagement. However, with the post-pandemic environment acting as a catalyst, organisations are demonstrating a much greater appetite to modernise security. Role of security Security providers must supply their customers with clear and transparent performance data in real-time Noah Price, G4S Academy International Director, outlines how the role of security is changing and how its Connected Officer Programme delivers service improvement, workforce engagement, and safer environments by leveraging technology advancements while maintaining personal interaction.  Current security consumers demand a proactive, data-driven, intelligent, and informed approach to operational delivery. Security providers must supply their customers with clear and transparent performance data in real-time, to drive better decision-making. So how is security responding? G4S’ Connected Security Officer programme is emerging as the key enabler. Significantly, this technology-enabled programme still operates with people at the core but uses technology to drive the service improvement and staff engagement that the modern environment demands. The programme is already well embedded within some significant security operations, such as the UK’s largest public services department, where the programme has been rolled out to officers operating across 800 UK sites. Importantly, the programme is just as relevant for small and medium-sized businesses, who require improvements to security but on a much smaller scale.  What does a Connected Officer look like? A Connected Officer’s appearance will vary depending on their work environment.  In some cases, wearable technology will be obvious to the public, and for good reason.  A first responder may appear bionic, given the multiple devices that they could be wearing, such as body-worn cameras with a visible screen, smart weapons, and heads-up displays.  But in a corporate reception, where officers are expected to balance their security function with customer service, the officer may wear technology that is less apparent to the public, such as smartwatches, tablets, and augmented reality glasses that look like everyday eyeglasses. Benefits of the Connected Officer Programme Officer engagement and development Human traits are what allow officers to greet visitors in one moment and deter criminals the next Security officers are selected for their specific personality traits, that range from leadership and courage to compassion and patience. These human traits are what allow officers to greet visitors in one moment and deter criminals the next. Technology can’t have a conversation with another human to determine if they are a potential risk or provide a warm front-of-house greeting. Simple and easy access So, while the security officer remains key, the programme uses technology to support the officer by providing simple and easy access to a network of colleagues and learning and development materials - all driving more engagement and motivation. Through a tablet or appropriate smart device, the officer can access formal training, bulletins, and even company updates and news supporting their development, and engagement and preventing disassociation and frustration.  Providing data-driven performance insight The benefits of the Connected Officer programme are far from limited to the officers themselves. By using their handheld device to record all activities, data is captured centrally. Information captured from officers operating across multiple locations can be consolidated into simple and easy-to-consume reporting all accessed from a central location. Performance notifications and monitoring Monitoring areas include validating that key tasks have been completed by the contract service level agreement Any customer that oversees security across multiple locations can view key information, such as performance notifications, at the click of a button. They have real-time insight to drive better decision-making. Common monitoring areas include validating that key tasks have been completed by the contract service level agreement, comply with regulatory requirements and that shifts have been fulfilled. Customers can also review an archive of reported incidents to assess trends. Performance improvement This data insight leads to resource optimisation and a real focus on service performance improvement, and the Connected Officer Programme has real operational benefits too. A real-time connection to a command-and-control function makes use of developments in artificial intelligence to identify potential incidents before they occur. Unusual motion and activity are flagged in real-time, allowing officers to proactively investigate incidents, armed with key information, rather than waiting for incidents to be reported, when it is often too late. Instant officer location visibility When an incident does occur, the Connected Officer programme provides instant officer location visibility to command and control. This means that the most appropriate officer is tasked with attending the scene and can be briefed on any potential threats in advance, so they are fully prepared to provide an appropriate response. Speed of response is critical in an emergency and this saves precious time. Creating a safer environment Connected Officer Programme has safety benefits in sectors where violence and aggression are prevalent G4S has seen the Connected Officer Programme have huge safety benefits in sectors where violence and aggression are prevalent, such as hospitals, retail, and other public-facing roles.  The presence of body-worn cameras, as part of the connected offering, has been proven to lead to a noticeable change in the way that the public interacts with security often quickly appeasing hostile and aggravated incidents, once people become aware that they are being recorded. A sustainable approach The environment itself benefits too. With paper reported to account for around 26% of total waste at the landfill, the elimination of paper-based reporting provides significant sustainability benefits. In addition, as less paper is consumed, precious storage space is freed up, meaning less energy is consumed. What’s next? As artificial intelligence and natural language processing progress, we will see increased adoption of virtual officers, which will operate similarly to mobile assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, IBM’s Watson Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana. As an example, a connected security officer will engage their radio or mobile device and ask the assistant to run a license plate. The system will query the incident and case management software, or any of our other enterprise systems. It will be an officer’s virtual partner. Future focus During one of the most transformational times in human history, technology is vital, and G4S will always use it to support its security officers. The future focus of the Connected Officer Programme will be to maintain the right balance between leveraging technology advancement and maintaining personal security interaction. Noah Price is the International Director of the G4S Academy which is responsible for sharing specialist threat and security knowledge. It provides regular, free security bulletins on potential threats, which can be a useful part of security planning.

New buzzwords were abundant in the articles that generated the most clicks on our website in 2022. From the metaverse to the Internet of Things, from frictionless access control to artificial intelligence (AI), the topics most popular among our site’s visitors were at the cutting edge of change and innovation in the physical security marketplace. Here is a review of the Top 10 Articles of 2022, based on reader clicks, including links to the original content: Metaverse will promote collaboration and enable more efficiencies for security Metaverse is a familiar buzzword currently, but few people grasp what it means. In the simplest terms, the metaverse is an online “place” where physical, virtual, and augmented realities are shared. The term, Metaverse, suggests a more immersive online environment that combines elements of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). For the physical security industry, the looming creation of a complex online environment offers possibilities and challenges. Establishing identity will be a central principle of the metaverse, and various biometrics are at the core of ensuring the identity of someone interacting in the virtual world. Cybersecurity elements are also key. On the benefits side, the security market is already taking advantage of technologies related to the eventual evolution of the metaverse. For example, the industry has deployed AR to provide information about a door lock’s status on a screen, headset, or smart glasses as a patrolling guard walks by. What are the security challenges of the transportation industry? Because transit agencies rely on several IoT devices, they get exposed to higher cybersecurity risks Rapid technological advancement, increasing urbanisation, and the growing expectations of commuters and governments are pressuring transit industry players to modernise. Commuters, urban planners, first responders, and other stakeholders want to use transit data to support their decision-making. Transit agencies’ security and operations teams need closer collaboration to stay ahead. However, for many years, most transit agencies have relied on siloed, proprietary systems. Because transit agencies rely on an ever-growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, they also get exposed to higher cybersecurity risks as there are more network access points to manage. The future is here: ADT’s innovation lab evaluating robots and indoor drones New robots and indoor drones for security applications are on the horizon, based on the work of ADT Commercials’ Innovation Lab, which is evaluating the latest technologies’ value to customers and some typical use cases. The ideal use of humanoid robots is to perform jobs that are considered repetitive, dirty, dangerous, and/or mundane. In security, that describes most security guard positions. As the name implies, autonomous indoor drones are focused on flying indoors versus the outdoor environment, which is heavily regulated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flying autonomously indoors not only eliminates FAA oversight but also will enable ADT Commercial to offer another choice to customers to further reduce their dependencies on and costs of human guards. Innovative security: the key to business efficiency, cost savings, and more Organisations have shifted business focus countless times since the onset of the pandemic. While many leaders have been primarily concerned with the immediate health and safety of their customers and employees, 2022 has given rise to a new trend. More than ever, business leaders are seeking security solutions that increase operational efficiency and cost savings as well as improve logistics and business insight. As working environments become more complex, organisations looking to drive higher productivity and profitability margins should consider security upgrades that prioritise integrated analytics and automation. Shoplifting today is more sophisticated, and so are the tools to fight it One tool to fight shoplifting is analytics, which can be used to determine where shrink is occurring Shoplifting is often viewed as petty theft by individuals, but that is not always the case. Overall, shoplifting is becoming more sophisticated and coordinated. Traditional “shoplifting” has two major differences when compared to organised retail crime (ORC). The differences are numbers and motivation. ORC consists of groups working together to monetise theft, very different than an individual taking an item they need. One tool to fight to shoplift is analytics, which can be used to determine where shrink is occurring. Understanding where crimes take place helps retailers make strategic decisions about where to place their loss prevention efforts. Oosto offers 10 reasons to switch to frictionless access control in commercial buildings Access control for buildings is nothing new. It’s only in recent years that the urgency to implement smarter, more efficient, and more convenient forms of access control has increased, in the context of public and private sector digital transformation. Upheavals from the COVID-19 pandemic have forced organisations to re-think, pivot, and invest in new technology solutions that will incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, to gain speed in their operations, glean actionable insights from their video analytics, and enhance productivity with their teams. Which security trend is here to stay? Technologies and trends in the security marketplace come and go with some regularity. But how can you tell which trends are gaining traction and which amount to “the flavor of the month.” For example, while many physical security departments were hesitant to consider cloud-connected solutions in the past, they now better understand the benefits these solutions bring and how they can help them utilize their resources to achieve business goals while minimising overall operational complexity. Other technologies mentioned in the article include mobile credentials, AI-based analytics, video management systems, cybersecurity, and a new emphasis on data. What do these technology trends have in common? They are opening new possibilities for greater system efficiency and functionality. In short, they are playing a role in transforming our industry. GSX 2022 reflects changing technologies and evolving role of security The role of the security director increasingly will encompass facets of cybersecurity and physical security GSX 2022 in Atlanta highlighted the changing role of security in the enterprise. The role of the security director increasingly will encompass facets of cybersecurity as well as physical security. Transitioning to an operation that incorporates both disciplines requires a workforce that embraces education and building new skills. Education and the opportunity to build new skills are evident everywhere at GSX, including in the hundreds of education sessions and also in the knowledge shared on the show floor in the exhibit hall. Consolidation changing the face of the security market Consolidation is a dominant trend in the security marketplace. Large companies typically swallow up smaller companies as a means of expanding both their technology portfolios and their geographic reach. Sometimes a big fish is swallowed up by an even bigger fish. Despite the pandemic and resulting economic challenges, the security market has continued to be a desirable environment for both big players and startups, which then provide abundant acquisition targets for larger companies. This article highlighted recent mergers and acquisition news. Six trends at the intersection of video and AI Video has evolved beyond the capabilities of advanced imaging and performance to include another level: Artificial Intelligence. Video imaging technology combines with AI, delivers a wealth of new data, not just for traditional physical security applications, but for a much deeper analysis of past, present, and even future events across the enterprise. This is more than a big development for the physical security industry; it is a monumental paradigm shift that is changing how security system models are envisioned, designed, and deployed. Much of the heightened demand for advanced video analytics is being driven by six prevalent industry trends.

Metaverse is a familiar buzzword today, but few people grasp what it really means. In the simplest terms, the metaverse is an online ‘place’ where physical, virtual and augmented realities are shared. The term, Metaverse, suggests a more immersive online environment that combines elements of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Metaverse Expectations of the metaverse today are largely built on hype. You hear more about future and eventual potential than about the current situation. However, the long-range business opportunities are large enough to get the attention of Microsoft, Google, and other big-tech companies, all seeking to carve out a presence and lay claim to future riches in the metaverse. The marketplace aspect of the metaverse will be crucial. How eager are people to pay ‘real-world’ dollars for digital items? Successfully monetising the metaverse will help to expand its usefulness, as a tool for non-revenue-generating activities. Creation of a complex online environment The looming creation of a complex online environment offers possibilities and challenges For the physical security industry, the looming creation of a complex online environment offers possibilities and challenges. Establishing identity will be a central principle of the metaverse and various biometrics are at the core of ensuring the identity of someone interacting in the virtual world. Cyber security elements are also key. On the benefits side, the security market is already taking advantage of technologies related to the eventual evolution of the metaverse. For example, the industry has deployed AR to provide information about a door lock’s status onto a screen, headset or smart glasses as a patrolling guard walks by. Three-dimensional virtual dashboards Three-dimensional virtual dashboards will revolutionise user interfaces, by providing information in real-time, superimposed onto video of a live scene. Think of it as a PSIM you wear on your head. Anything that needs immediate attention can dominate the virtual screen. Virtual reality has also found its way into various training scenarios, including security. “We now have tools at our fingertips to support security in a physical building, including hardware, software applications, and even smart phones,” said Rob Martens, Allegion’s Chief Innovation and Design Officer, adding “The metaverse will become an aggregation point to make it simpler to pull more tools together seamlessly.” Information aggregated into a ‘virtual workspace’ Today, rather than viewing security data on a laptop, security operators can see all the information aggregated into a ‘virtual workspace’. The heightened level of automation comes with more tools to simplify how operators interact with the data, which is combined into a seamless, customised augmented reality interface that facilitates easy control of the physical environment, using tools in the virtual world. Elements of the metaverse will enable the physical security industry, among many others, to deal with employee labour shortages. The term ‘virtual workspaces’ can describe the various technology ‘hacks’ that have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. New tools that aid in remote working In addition to Zoom calls, companies have developed new tools that employees can use to work remotely In addition to the familiar Zoom calls, companies have developed new tools that employees can use to work remotely. Elements of the metaverse will promote evolution of these tools into a seamless, responsive, real-time system that broadly encompasses more and more of an employee’s work experience into virtual form. The trend towards working remotely and the development of tools to enable the new trend were accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. As these tools evolve, more employees will be able to work remotely, using the same tools that are driving the metaverse. Development of more virtual workplace tools A critical shortage of workers in many industries will also drive development of more virtual workplace tools. Performance of even traditionally ‘hands-on’ jobs will evolve to include remote capabilities with the help of virtual tools. For example, imagine a warehouse worker who completes his tasks remotely from a computer screen or virtual reality headset that controls and directs a robot to do the heavy lifting in a factory that is miles away. People with disabilities will be able to perform more types of jobs. Remote patrolling and operation of robots In the security industry, a similar scenario is possible with the remote operation of robots to patrol a distant building. The security professional can control the robots using tools from the metaverse, such as a virtual reality headset, to direct their activities and to respond to situations, all with complete situational awareness. Video enables the operator to ‘see’ what the robot sees and the video view is augmented with various datapoints in a dashboard configuration that is completely customisable to any situation. In the virtual world, a ‘button’ can be created anywhere to control anything. In short, the same technologies that are driving the metaverse will enable more workers to accomplish more jobs from home (or the local coffee shop). Elements of the multiverse You will see more automation, more robotics, and more remote piloting" Rob Martens, Allegion’s Chief Innovation and Design Officer, said “Our labour scarcity problems will drive how successful the metaverse is for technology jobs. You will see more automation, more robotics, and more remote piloting. It’s just another way to interact with each other, with companies, with commerce, with tools – it’s just more immersive.” Elements of the multiverse could also one day replace the expensive need for security operations centres (SOCs). The familiar room full of video monitors and other hardware could be replaced with virtual or augmented reality headsets driven by software. Virtual Reality approach will save on power and space utilisation In addition to saving the hardware costs of building the SOC, a Virtual Reality (VR) approach would save on power and space utilisation, rent, and the ability to retain employees. VR headsets further enhance the experience of a security centre operator by incorporating 3D graphics, video, customisable dashboards, and other elements. And everything is seamless. The greater ability to interact with others in the metaverse promotes collaboration among security professionals and ensures more efficiency. The operators in a security centre would not need to be in the same room, if they are in the same ‘virtual space’, thus enabling them to collaborate even more effectively. Travelling to various ‘places’ in the metaverse would enable an operator to ‘visit’ any number of remote physical locations and interface efficiently with the robots, and other systems in various places – all from the comfort of their home office. 

A mix of Hubble Panoramic and PTZ cameras from Dahua Technology have been installed at Tripoli Stadium in Libya to help it meet modern international standards. Built in 1970, it is the largest Olympic stadium in the country and has been renovated and refurbished to meet FIFA’s requirements for stadium safety and security. Challenges With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, the stadium becomes crowded on match days and control of spectators and crowds becomes paramount. With only a limited number of police, security and stadium staff to rely on, stadium managers needed to have an overview of crowd flows and potential congestion to help ensure safety at these busy times. In addition, the stadium needed to stream images of match action to large screens strategically located inside and outside the stadium for fan interaction, as well as provide screens for advertising.  Solution Cameras contain wise roles such as face recognition, perimeter protection and people-counting A mixture of eight Hubble panoramic and more than 180 WizMind 5 series cameras have been installed at the stadium to improve the situational awareness for stadium managers and the security team. The Hubble cameras are situated high up in the stadium to provide a panoramic overview, while being able to track specific incidents. They consist of an array of fixed cameras providing 180o, 270o or 360o coverage, together with an integrated dome camera to zoom into a particular scene and track specific objects. With Ultra HD resolution of up to 24MP, Hubble also features crowd number and density detection, vehicle-counting and density monitoring and augmented reality mapping.  Dahua’s DSS video management software The cameras are available in dust-proof, waterproof and vandal-proof versions Also installed are more than 180 WizMind 5 series cameras. Featuring Starlight and deep learning algorithms, the cameras incorporate intelligent functions such as face recognition, perimeter protection and people-counting, which all greatly improve the accuracy of video analysis. The cameras are available in dust-proof, waterproof and vandal-proof versions. Intelligent recognition plays a big part in the security of the stadium, with cameras being able to identify and subsequently track any blocklisted suspects. This feature is also used at the entrance of the stadium to validate authorised ticket holders. Also installed are giant 15m x 9m LED screens to provide images of play on the pitch, as well as advertising coverage. All equipment is managed by Dahua’s DSS video management software located in the central control room. Results The installation of the Dahua equipment has provided stadium staff and security personnel with a high degree of situational awareness at the venue. They are now able to control access to the stadium through face recognition, anticipate overcrowding and potential congestion points with automatic heat mapping from camera images and track suspicious people or potential incidents. The cameras also provide a high degree of perimeter protection to detect and track abnormal intrusion. 

Athena Security’s Concealed Weapons Detection System was selected by Champions Club Texas to protect patrons, members and staff at a first-of-its-kind hospitality destination in Houston that features a full-service hotel, lounge and bar with Southern-inspired cuisine and private-membership poker. Located in Houston’s expanding Westchase community, Champions Club Texas is celebrating its grand opening as a destination offering something for everyone, from business travellers seeking comfortable accommodations with well-appointed amenities to locals looking for a unique night out. Weapons detection system Athena's Concealed Weapons Detection System (WDS)/Walk Through Metal Detector is engineered to detect a wide range of mass casualty threats like handguns, shotguns, and rifles without requiring individuals to stop as they pass through the detector. There is no need to have individuals remove phones, wallets, or other extraneous items from their pockets due to the proprietary multiple-sensor detection method. The system adheres to Federal Standards while allowing both auditory and visual alert options, as seen in the best practices of Homeland Security for WDS. The concealed weapons detection system is designed to scan walking at an average speed of one person per second. Unintimidating approach Athena Security is a solution that detects weapons upon entry and is one of the many layers of security “At Champions we are raising the bar in hospitality and gaming, and that includes ensuring the most comfortable and safe atmosphere for our valued customers,” said Trent Touchstone, Director of Security, Champions Club Texas. “Athena Security is a solution that detects weapons upon entry and is one of the many layers of security protocols in place at Champions that improves operational efficiency of our security team as a workforce multiplier.” Athena Security’s low profile, unintimidating approach is a welcome differentiator from historic metal detector tech by eliminating the need to check cell phones and keys, allowing for a better flow into the venue. Modest-full time security team Advanced analytics and management protocols allow for deep visibility and flexibility to maintain staffing levels providing the highest level of safety. Touchstone, a 28-year veteran of the United States Marshals Service Chief with a long history of threat analysis, notes that given the hotel and membership club will require 24/7 attention with a modest-full time security team, he appreciates Athena Security’s ability to provide a feature-rich entryway security experience with the ability to automate and accomplish so much remotely.

Quanergy Solutions, Inc., a pioneering provider of 3D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) security solutions, was chosen by a large municipality in California, USA, in order to bolster pedestrian safety in the city's underground railways where fatality risks and costly liability issues were of growing concern. Traditional video surveillance The California city’s management had been grappling with a substantial number of missed alarms within its underground railroad system due to the intricate terrain and challenging lighting conditions. The absence of alarms when individuals trespassed onto train tracks posed a significant liability issue, endangering lives and increasing operating expenses. Traditional video surveillance systems had further proven ineffective in these environments due to inconsistent lighting and various obstructions that made it difficult to maintain a consistent field of view. Quanergy’s comprehensive solution Quanergy hyper-accurate detection and tracking of individuals in the city’s railroad system By deploying Q-track, a seamlessly integrated solution that combines long-range 3D LiDAR sensors with advanced perception software, Quanergy enables hyper-accurate detection and tracking of individuals in the city’s underground railroad system, most importantly those individuals who find their way onto dangerous railroad tracks.  Quanergy’s comprehensive solution also effectively eliminates alarm fatigue by significantly reducing false alarms. This enables operators to focus on real threats and receive actionable insights with hyper-accuracy, ensuring that no urgent alarms are missed, averting possible injuries or even fatalities. Quanergy LiDAR security solutions Thanks to Quanergy's solution, the city now reports that they have 100% accurate detection when pedestrians are on train tracks. Quanergy LiDAR security solutions are currently deployed at hundreds of critical infrastructure sites around the world, addressing a wide spectrum of mission-critical applications including perimeter intrusion detection, server rack and cabinet security, mobile security towers, mantrap/vestibule access controls, rooftop security, and more.

Heat waves caused by climate change are currently also increasing strongly across Europe and the associated risk of forest fires is rising immensely. Fires in natural areas are increasingly getting out of control due to drought or wind, and the risk of danger to people, animals, nature, and infrastructure is growing. But how can fires be detected and localised at an early stage to minimise or even avoid serious damage? Artificial intelligence With image processing and artificial intelligence, even such challenges can be mastered. Instead of elaborately programming a solution, neural networks and deep learning algorithms teach an image processing system to see, recognise and verify objects in this case smoke. Furthermore, AI enables a corresponding image processing system to conclude what it learns. The French company Paratronic has taken up this issue. Within the scope of its field of activity of monitoring natural hazards, the solution provider has successfully devoted itself, among other things, to the development of an intelligent product for fire monitoring. Automatic forest fire detection system ADELIE Four industrial cameras from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH are integrated into each system The automatic forest fire detection system ADELIE (Alert Detection Localisation of Forest Fires), whose key components are industrial image processing and artificial intelligence, has proven itself in practice. Four industrial cameras from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH are integrated into each system. These permanently observe a specific forest area within a radius of up to 20 kilometres. Depending on the system, they need a maximum of two minutes to monitor a radius of 360 degrees. Efficient planning and control With the help of algorithms specially developed by Paratronic, the system can recognise and localise fire sources based on the recorded images and provide real-time information for appropriate options for action. In this way, ADELIE ensures efficient planning and control of the fire brigade to protect the living space and, last but not least, to protect buildings, power lines, telecommunication lines, and road or rail infrastructure. Application The ADELIE system is composed of at least two surveillance points that are networked together. Each surveillance point consists of two detection cameras and an additional camera that serves to eliminate doubts. Four Gigabit Ethernet cameras from IDS are integrated per ADELIE detection camera. Thus, a total of eight IDS cameras are used per surveillance point. These monitoring points allow 360° monitoring, with each azimuth visualised approximately every two minutes. Automatic monitoring of the observed natural area takes place around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. AI-based image processing algorithms By comparing the images and using taught-in features, the system detects the rising smoke The system is connected to a processing unit whose software contains artificial intelligence-based image processing algorithms. The program developed by Paratronic registers compares and analyses the images provided by the cameras. Long before a tree burns, smoke is released from the surrounding grass and scrub. By comparing the images and using taught-in features, the system detects the rising smoke. Remote monitoring and detection As soon as this smoke is visible from the monitoring point, ADELIE triggers an alarm. This phase is called automatic fire and forest fire detection. The operator on duty then controls the doubt-removal camera remotely and checks the type of detection. He locates the source of the fire on a map using triangulation and informs the control centre, which initiates the fire-fighting measures. Real-time visualisation At the same time, all information, images, and knowledge gained by the AI are transmitted to the fire alarm centre or the fire control centre without delay. With the help of the real-time visualisation of the event, the localisation of the source of the fire on a digital map, and various augmented reality functions, the context, extent, and development of the fire can be immediately visualised there and appropriate fire-fighting measures can be taken. A remote-controlled video camera completes this system. This is used to verify and monitor the fire until the first fire-fighting unit arrives and enables the fire to be tracked from the outbreak until it is extinguished. Role of IDS cameras The IDS cameras continuously film the forest azimuth by azimuth and provide the software with images" "The IDS cameras play an important role in the operation of the ADELIE system. They have the task of continuously filming the forest azimuth by azimuth and providing the software with these images in real-time," underlines Edouard BOUILLOT, Director of Projects and Innovation at Paratronic. "When choosing the appropriate model for the automatic forest fire detection system, the decision was made in favour of a Gigabit Ethernet camera from the SE series from IDS. "Our system uses the UI-5240SE-NIR-GL model," explains Loïs Carrié, Paratronic engineer. Industrial camera with a 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor This particularly powerful industrial camera is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensor from e2v. The highly sensitive sensor is used by Paratronic in the NIR version (EV76C661ABT). In addition to its outstanding light sensitivity, the sensor offers two global and rolling shutter variants that can be switched during operation. This allows maximum flexibility for changing requirements and environmental conditions, as in this case caused by different times of day and weather conditions. In addition, four areas of interest are available. This allows either several features to be checked at the same time or the AOIs to be captured in an exposure series with different parameters. Reasons for choosing the cameras  The camera thus meets all requirements, confirms Lois Carrie. "We chose this model for three main reasons. Firstly, it convinces with its spectral sensitivity. The sensor picks up all visible colour wavelengths, with particularly good sensitivity in the near-infrared." "We also need the option of screwing a wavelength filter into the C-mount close to the sensor. Thirdly, the camera offers the direct possibility of sequentially taking four pictures with increasing exposure time. Continuous shooting makes it possible to get a very high dynamic range." Software The ADELIE software then does the image analysis to detect the presence of smoke on the canopy" For image acquisition, the system uses the uEye SDK, "Then our image processing system comes into play," explains Edouard BOUILLOT. "The ADELIE software then does the image analysis to detect the presence of smoke on the canopy." "The analysis is done by comparing two images taken in the same orientation to detect any smoke. This is made possible by several exclusive algorithms developed by PARATRONIC that allow the comparison of a very large number of factors that are not visible to the naked eye." 3 phase analysis This analysis is carried out in three phases. In phase one, the images to be compared are registered to the nearest 50th of a degree. In phase two, the images are compared to highlight any changes, such as the movement or displacement of objects or the appearance of smoke. In the third stage, advanced analysis takes place, based on the use of different algorithms: The highlighted differences are not only examined in terms of their shape, size, distance, etc., to eliminate all elements other than smoke as best as possible. Other algorithms using automatic classifiers and working with parameters extracted from one or more images complete this analysis. Fibre optics transmission The data is then transmitted to the computer control system via a digital network such as fibre optics. The respective data sets contain both a JPEG file of the image for display on the screen, as well as a file containing the camera number, the angle of view, the date and time of the shot, and the azimuth. By integrating a weather station, meteorological data such as wind strength or precipitation can also be recorded and taken into account. Permanent smoke If at least two towers have detected it, the exact location fire source in the control center is determined If an image and its linked file report a fire, an automatic check is carried out: the system estimates the location of the smoke, then cross-checks it against known locations where other types of smoke appear. This ensures that an alarm is only triggered if this detection has not occurred in an exclusion zone, i.e. a zone where permanent smoke is known to exist, such as a factory chimney. If only one tower has detected the smoke, the distance indicated in the telemetry is used. If at least two towers have detected it, the exact location of the source of the fire in the control center is determined by triangulation. High-resolution camera As with any automatic system, human validation of the alarms transmitted is essential with ADELIE. The staff at the control center use a high-resolution camera with a powerful optical zoom (30x, with a wide-angle lens) to confirm whether it is indeed a fire outbreak. The persons responsible for surveillance can observe the situation from a distance without interrupting the detection system thanks to these cameras, the so-called doubt removal cameras. The ADELIE detection system thus remains fully active to be prepared even if several fires occur. Optimising measures The system is extremely powerful. For each site, 13500 images are taken, transmitted, and stored for 30 days within 24 hours, regardless of whether they contain a detection or not. In addition to these captured images, the system also stores the videos from the camera that were used to observe and validate the incident, thus enabling comprehensive documentation. Based on all the data collected, ADELIE can generate statistics based on which emergency services can align and optimise their measures. Reliability  The amount of data grows continuously with each event that feeds the database" "With the help of the stored images, we can analyse the course of the fire and the firefighting afterward. The amount of data grows continuously with each event that feeds the database." "This in turn increases the reliability of the statistics needed for the continuous improvement of prevention and control measures," sums up Edouard Bouillot. Network monitoring  The system is successfully used in the Sarthe department, the most densely forested department in the northwestern quarter of France. Forest fires are increasingly a reality there, especially in the spring and summer months. For several years, there have been more and more fires in natural habitats. After numerous forest fires in 2019, a total of 117,000 hectares of forest were equipped with a network of automatic fire detection systems at the beginning of 2021. A total of 48 cameras monitor the forests above the treetops at twelve points distributed across the department near particularly endangered areas. “The ADELIE System allowed us to improve the detection time as well as the precision of the fire location,” says Christophe Burbaud, Comptroller General at the Sarthe Fire Department (SDIS72).  Advantages Continuous monitoring of forest fires: all year round, on the whole, or part of the territory, day and night. Time-saving: real-time visualisation of the disaster, the immediate transmission of alarms, and precise localisation of the source of the fire thanks to a triangulation system. Thanks to the cameras and especially the doubt-removal camera, verification and confirmation are much faster than an emergency call. Elimination of human risks: no more isolated men on watch towers. Long-term monitoring: data storage enables continuous improvement of forest fire monitoring and detection. Monitoring and information management system Early fire detection and precise localisation of fire outbreaks, significantly reduce the risk of spread ADELIE is thus more than an automatic fire and forest fire detection system, but an integrated fire and forest fire monitoring and information management system. The French image processing solution thus makes a decisive contribution to damage limitation. Through early fire detection and precise localisation of fire outbreaks, significantly reduces the risk of spread and can minimise associated damage to people, the environment, and the national economy. Client PARATRONIC is a French manufacturer of hardware, software, and integrated systems for the management of water, the environment, and natural risks. Its areas of expertise range from the production, distribution, or remediation of measurement equipment for water, groundwater, and surface water, to monitoring fires. PARATRONIC thus offers complete solutions for the acquisition, transmission, processing, and management of field data.

Traffic continues to grow in every major city. But how to beat congestion in these restricted urban spaces? In China’s ancient-walled city of Xi’an, they’re adopting an intelligent traffic management system based on Hikvision technology and boosting traffic flow while reducing journey time.  The Chinese city of Xi'an, known as Chang'an in ancient times, was the center of ancient oriental civilisation. Thirteen dynasties spanning Chinese history have chosen Xi'an as their capital. Currently, Xi'an is not simply a part of history: it’s a high-tech hub, renowned across China for its scientific research and education, manufacturing, technology, and transportation.  The challenge Allowing a city to grow and flow within ancient walls Despite being a modern hub, Xi’an still retains its ‘checkerboard’ layout from the Tang Dynasty, complete with its border of tall and ancient walls. Nevertheless, while economic growth has enabled the city to develop, the walls place great restrictions on the city’s daily movement, especially to its burgeoning traffic. Vehicles can only enter and exit through the city gates, but with some three million vehicles in the city, the limited number of entrances was beginning to cause serious congestion.  Need for intelligent cameras  Managing a growing city while protecting its history presented a serious challenge to Xi’an What’s more, there are also many ancient ruins in the city, which were further limiting the development of the urban area. Plus as of 2018, the city was home to over 10 million people, while the number of construction projects was steadily increasing.  Managing a growing city while protecting its history presented a serious challenge to Xi’an. So to address this, Xi’an Urban Traffic Administration turned to Hikvision and its intelligent cameras.  The Solution An intelligent traffic management system from Hikvision “Xi’an’s city walls make it impossible to increase the size of the urban area. So it was only through technology that we could allow the modern city to grow and develop,” says Lihu Ma, the Project Manager from Hikvision. “A core part of the Hikvision solution involves our AI-powered video technology.”  The Xi'an traffic police worked with experts from Hikvision, as well as urban planning experts, internet service providers, and other technology companies, to design and implement an intelligent traffic management system. The construction of this system fully utilises Hikvision's core advantages in urban transportation intelligence, employing AI-powered video to create a powerful traffic sensing system. “Effectively, we are building a bridge between an intelligent digital world and the physical urban transportation network in Xi’an,” explains Lihu.  The technical solution The intelligent traffic management system analyses comprehensive and detailed data about the movement of traffic through the urban Xi’an area and uses the insight gathered to make the flow of traffic more smoothly in three key ways. 1. Comprehensive road traffic violation monitoring The latest sonar monitoring equipment is being used to detect the illegal use of car horns in banned areas Xi'an traffic police have installed Hikvision’s Checkpoint Capture Cameras and Intersection Violation Capture Units as part of a monitoring system that can detect illegal vehicle behavior at intersections.  These full view ultra-high zoom cameras record vehicles making illegal maneouvers such as running red lights, making banned turns, and illegal lane changes in real-time. What’s more, the latest sonar monitoring equipment is being used to detect the illegal use of car horns in banned areas. 2. Visual integrated command and dispatching platform Using real-time video streams from Hikvision Traffic Flow Capture Cameras, several road condition perception technologies, plus intelligent mobile applications, Xi'an traffic police has created a visual command and control centre, coupled with an intelligent police dispatch system.  All data is aggregated and dynamically displayed on a large screen in the command and control center. In the event of a traffic incident, the system generates dispatch recommendations intelligently, according to the location and distribution of traffic police officers throughout the city. Those closest to an incident receive an automated message to their mobile terminals, enabling them to arrive at the scene quickly.  Advanced machine learning capabilities More importantly, the intelligent traffic management system uses advanced machine learning capabilities to gain insight into typical congestion patterns, to actively identify potential traffic events before they happen. By analysing large volumes of road condition data and information from Hikvision’s intelligent video cameras, the system can predict which intersections are most prone to congestion and when enabling traffic police to put evasive measures in place before serious issues arise.  3. Improved vehicle flow capacity with intelligent signal control With AR, the intelligent traffic management system analyses traffic flow data and alters the timing of signal lights The Xi’an traffic management team also employs congestion management practices to ease the flow of traffic, largely through the optimisation of signal timing.  Using Hikvision intelligent video cameras coupled with augmented reality (AR) technology, the intelligent traffic management system analyses traffic flow data and dynamically alters the timing of signal lights accordingly. It will monitor traffic flow, queue length, and average driving speed in all directions of intersections in real-time, automatically adjusting signal timing to optimise the flow of vehicles.  Benefits of the solution Traffic throughput up by 10%, journey time down by 12% The Xi'an traffic management system has been trained with a wealth of traffic data, including Hikvision video, enabling it to build multiple intelligent algorithms for managing congestion in the city.  First of all, map-based congestion reports suggest that Xi'an's congestion rankings have improved significantly. Compared with the test results of pilot roads before the system went live, intelligent signal control alone has increased the throughput of traffic by 10%, while the average vehicle journey time is reduced by about 12%.  Fewer traffic violations increased incident response Traffic law enforcement data reveals that traffic offences are generally decreasing What’s more, driver behaviour is improving, and drivers are becoming more compliant with the rules of the road. Traffic law enforcement data reveals that traffic offences are generally decreasing, with traffic violations dropping by some 30% in one short-term observation.  Additionally, due to the proactive traffic incident warning function, the incident detection rate has also increased by more than 30% compared to the traditional model. With the continuous optimisation of the system algorithm, plus the ongoing installation of monitoring equipment, the accuracy of this identification will only improve.  In the process of urbanisation, tackling congestion is not only about improving the flow of the transportation network: it’s also basic governance for building a smart city. 

The Metaverse sounds like the plot of the latest summer action movie. In reality, it’s a technology - or, more accurately, a group of technologies - that will likely have a transformational impact on a host of markets. For security, the Metaverse has an extensive list of needs. It also presents some opportunities. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What does the Metaverse mean for security?