The ability to utilize intelligent video on moving platforms has endless possibilities across a wide range of market segments.
The ability to utilize intelligent video on moving platforms has endless possibilities across a wide range of market segments. For example, the use of unmanned platforms such as drones or boats in border security is gaining pace. “Since these platforms are usually equipped with video cameras, the use of video analytics on footage from mobile devices, such as drones, unmanned cars, robots, and water vessels is growing quickly,” said Eric Olson, VP of Marketing at Puretech Systems.
“We have seen increased demand for VCA on mobile platforms across several markets, although outside of the military, actual deployment is still in its early phases.”
- Eric Olson, VP, Marketing, Puretech Systems
However, the current limitations relate to cost, size, and power consumption of the hardware required to process video onboard a drone in real time. The other choice is to perform the analysis on computers on the ground from video streams transmitted from the drone, but this presents challenges with reliable real-time data communications. “We have seen increased demand for VCA on mobile platforms across several markets, although outside of the military, actual deployment is still in its early phases,” said Olson.
“The algorithmic requirements for a mobile unit are much greater than for stationary cameras, and therefore require significantly greater computing resources.”
- Ron Grinfeld, Director, Global Vertical Marketing, DVtel
Adapting VCA to mobile platforms will require more changes in software and hardware. “Most VCA applications construct and maintain the background of the scene (with occasional updates as needed, following light changes, etc.), and cannot be easily ported to mobile units that generate a continuously dynamic scene. In addition, mobile footage, especially when generated from a flying drone, includes significant vibrations requiring substantial stabilization, that in most cases could be achieved by a combination of both hardware and software elements. The algorithmic requirements for a mobile unit are much greater than for stationary cameras, and therefore require significantly greater computing resources,” explained Ron Grinfeld, Director of Global Vertical Marketing at DVtel.
Nonetheless, the growing interest in drones in anything from military applications to Amazon deliveries holds great potential for intelligent video companies and is a future milestone to be reached.