COVID-19 makes face mask detection essential video analytics

As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, the role of intelligent video analytics software that can detect people violating health care guidelines has become important. Many solution providers of video analytics for security cameras and VMS are at the forefront of this segment, enabling authorities to use technology to avoid crowds, ensure social distancing, and wear masks.

Masks have become an integral part of the fight against COVID-19, and facial recognition analytics solution providers are now factoring in the possibility of having to detect people who wear and do not wear masks. Detecting and identifying those who wear masks could be a necessity from a security perspective, but in the pandemic, alerting authorities of someone not wearing a mask is critical for safety reasons.

In surveillance systems

Briefcam is one of those companies that have highlighted the importance of video analytics to detect if a person is wearing a mask. On its site, the company says that a face mask attribute filter can forensically search and identify face mask usage across a video. Detect and alert when face masks are detected, or not detected on an individual, in real-time, and understand face mask compliance over time and location, the company explains.

Similarly, intuVision explains that the feature on their solution can help monitor and enforce face mask usage in public areas such as retail environments, banks, and post offices, which are deemed essential and thus remain open during this time. intuVision VA Face Detection can be used to detect people not wearing face masks, with ultimate flexibility in response actions after detection.

Some of these solutions use AI and neural networks and work with existing VMS solutions to allow customers to make use of their features with a minimum overhaul of their current system.

In access control systems

Video analytics is no longer limited to CCTV systems. With cameras becoming an integral part of access control solutions for facial recognition, video analytics are now being used on them too. Hikvision, for instance, recently launched a facial recognition access control system that can detect if people are wearing masks, even as they try to access an area.

Comprehensive “return to office” package

Some of these features are part of more extensive solutions that take care of other requirements that COVID-19 mandates. In a recent press release, Intelligent Security Systems (ISS) said that it offers a “Plan for a Safe Return to Work” solution offering new capabilities designed to provide organizations with a fully integrated software solution to help restore business operations.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented organizations of all types and classifications with a new set of challenges that impact the security, safety, and health of all individuals who enter their premises, as well as the liability and responsibility of the host,” said Aluisio Figueiredo, CEO of Intelligent Security Systems. “Right now, the biggest challenge is how to get people back to work, engaged in commerce, education, and all of the everyday activities that drive the economy with effective safeguards in place. Our ‘Plan for a Safe Return to Work’ solution combines the best in ISS VMS and analytics technologies to provide a practical, versatile, and scalable way to accomplish this important goal.”

Besides mask detection, the solution also has a thermal scanner for temperature monitoring while providing an access control facility. A similar system was brought to the market recently by Motorola Solutions, with a focus on including prevention, protection, and response. As COVID-19 becomes an unavoidable aspect of a business, more security companies may offer solutions tailored to mitigate health care risks.