i-PRO: Making the future compatible with the past

Gerard Fígols, President, i-PRO EMEA chats AI, market developments and state-of-the-art surveillance technology with ISJ Editor, James Thorpe.

AI is transforming surveillance and security.

Not only do AI technologies provide users with a wide range of innovative deployment options, but manufacturers are recognising how bespoke solutions also have the ability to elevate the functionality of existing legacy systems.

As we witness a major technological leap – and a general shift in how we safeguard people, places and assets – International Security Journal Editor, James Thorpe, caught up with i-PRO’s EMEA President, Gerard Fígols, to find out more about the company’s unique approach to AI and the power of its newly launched X-Series range of cameras.

“More than just video”

In Fígols’ words, “the surveillance market is about more than just video”.

As new cameras continue to be installed in a range of settings across the globe, day by day, it is becoming increasingly challenging to manage multiple video streams that may be feeding through to a command centre.

“Given the amount of cameras which may be at a facility, operators now have a tough job,” he said. “As we continue to gather more data from video, the value of this data continues to increase.”

As Fígols explained, the data recorded needs to be accurate, or else it’s misleading and useless.

“As a result, AI is bringing a lot of advantages to the surveillance industry. First of all, AI can be much more accurate in comparison to traditional analytics.

“Secondly, AI can keep improving its performance by continually learning. The cameras that are installed are becoming smarter and smarter all the time.

“The i-PRO X-Series range is a revolutionary new camera lineup that brings AI to non-AI cameras, making AI forwards and backwards compatible.

“This is made possible thanks to the powerful Ambarella chipset that is inside.

“This X-Series range also introduces on-site AI learning, which enables the solutions to recognise user defined objects and utilise advanced customs analytics.”

This point is particularly interesting, with Fígols emphasising that the lessons learned by the new cameras can actually be shared among the other solutions in the X-Series range – regardless of whether this is in the same application or in a separate place entirely.

He elaborated: “Last but not least, the new X-Series range – like with all of the products developed and launched by i-PRO from its Japan headquarters – is designed with the latest level of cybersecurity in mind.

“The FIPS 140-2 – Level Three Certification, for example, ensures data integrity. As video becomes more popular when looking to gain insights, it is critical that data is properly secure and that we can guarantee it has not been breached or interfered with.

“Cybersecurity is always a key consideration for i-PRO. As cameras continue to handle more AI capabilities and data streams, the more cybersecurity grows in importance.”

The on-site learning capabilities of the X-Series range gives users customisation options.

This means that the i-PRO product can really be adapted to the customer – not the other way around. This means that there are several innovative possibilities in this new lineup.

“It’s possible to have customised training,” Fígols explained. “Smart learning enables the cameras to be trained with specific objects.

“In addition to that, their accuracy can be further enhanced as the AI analytics can learn directly at the location; the learning process is simple and actually only requires the loading of images to teach the camera.”

Meeting demand

With an ever-increasing number of cameras in need of monitoring, it’s becoming challenging to keep an eye on all the right places without having the right triggers.

This can hinder a security operations team from getting the information that matters most when it really counts.

On the other hand, it is costly to renew all the cameras already installed in one place and bring AI in to address the problem.

“This is a common experience, but we can help to ensure that the transition is smooth,” remarked Fígols.

“We can deliver this in a cost efficient and environmentally friendly way because the cameras do not need to be replaced. We can create a retrofit environment by bringing the technology of the future back to the past.

“There are millions of cameras in the world already installed. So, with these new X-Series devices, you can make some of them, if not all of them, AI compatible.”

There are numerous different types of sectors and environments that can benefit from the use of AI technologies like that of i-PRO’s.

For example, a sector like logistics and supply chain has been evolving in line with global digitalisation. Moreover, automation is rapidly beginning to shape retail, hospitality and transportation.

Mirroring such sector-specific trends, the company is enhancing user experiences by sharing more and more data in real time.

Fígols continued: “Some users in operations, for example, are able to teach the camera to count the number of forklifts passing through the camera’s field of view, thus providing new metrics that contribute to operational efficiency.

“Another example is where a camera could be taught to recognise a logo on a truck and send out an alert when it arrives at the loading dock.

“Moreover, this same camera could be taught to recognise an ambulance at the emergency door of a hospital. There are many applications and some of them we do not even know about yet!

“That’s exactly why we make our cameras open and flexible – so that learning takes place in the field.”

The million dollar question

When asked about the future of AI in surveillance, Fígols responds with a smile, remarking: “It’s the million dollar question, so I have to answer it.

“Honestly speaking, the applications of AI are going to continue to expand across the security industry, allowing products to be more adapted to needs.

“Because of that, it is very, very important that the products developed are flexible and open for customers.

“And that’s what i-PRO is doing. We are bringing the power of data analysis to the edge, making our cameras smarter. At the same time, we do it in a way that ensures that the products are open to the market, not only kept inside of the i-PRO system.  

“As we look to the future, we are aiming to be the leading manufacturer of AI surveillance technology. To achieve this, we have to remain focused on manufacturing open and cybersecure edge AI technologies.

“It also means we have to continue expanding our network of partners; we need to partner with the best in each area.

“We are not a software company, but there are certainly many software companies providing applications and analyses that can help to make our products a better fit in the market.

“In addition, we cannot forget that there are many cameras installed across the world.

“With this in mind, we not only need to be conscious about how we make our products compatible with future technology, but we need to ensure we make the future compatible with the past.”

The i-PRO approach

Fígols puts it best when he says that i-PRO is a “new company with 66 years of history”.

Whilst he and the global team continue to get excited about the future, they also believes that AI will continue to positively disrupt the security industry.

“We understand that AI can get a bad name because of some of the broader risks that are associated with it”, he concluded.

“But, we utilise such technology in a cautious way. This is very important.

“That’s why we are focusing on cybersecurity and ensuring that our products really align with what the market needs.

“As a company, we have a social responsibility to make the world a safer place. That’s also why we design all of our systems in-house.”

i-PRO products are compliant under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and, as a trusted government partner, the company also has many camera models that are available through the GSA Schedule and are compliant under the Trade Agreement Act (TAA).