A report confirms one billion surveillance cameras across Canada, but do they just record? Imagine cameras that can recognize people, objects, and even suspicious activity – that’s the power of AI security camera!
AI security cameras are high-tech devices that use artificial intelligence to analyze footage, going beyond just recording what they see.
Don’t be left in the dark about AI surveillance cameras! Read our blog to find out how these intelligent cameras function.
Are they even legal in Canada?
Don’t forget to check out the top AI security cameras and learn how they can become threefold more effective in securing your business with remote video surveillance!
What is an artificial intelligence (AI) security camera?
Surveillance cameras have AI software that allows them to identify suspicious activity, predict potential problems, and filter through hours of video to find specific events quickly.
In short, AI security cameras transform security from passive monitoring to proactive threat detection with AI software that enables it to:
- Detect: AI cameras can go beyond just recording. They can actively detect specific objects, people, or activities. (e.g. Detect loitering, firearms, shoplifting gestures, etc.)
- Classify: AI can categorize objects or events within the video footage. (e.g. Classify vehicles, distinguish people from pets, etc.)
- Track: AI can follow the movement of objects or people over time. (e.g. Track a person’s path through a store, monitor vehicle movement in a parking lot, etc.)
- Identify: Some advanced cameras can recognize known faces or objects. (e.g. Identify specific individuals, recognize license plates, etc.)
- Predict: Sophisticated AI can analyze patterns to predict future events. (e.g. Predict potential traffic jams, anticipate suspicious behavior, etc.)
- Filter: AI can narrow down footage based on specific criteria. (e.g. Filter for events during nighttime hours, only show clips with people, etc.)
- Review: AI can quickly scan through footage to find relevant sections. (e.g. Review footage for a specific date and time range, etc.)
- Retrieve: AI can locate and deliver specific clips based on your search query. (e.g. Retrieve all clips containing a particular license plate number, etc.)
Pretty cool, huh? But wait, now you must be wondering, is it legal to have such a dynamic camera at my business?
Let’s find out what Canadian law says about it:
Is it legal for businesses across Canada to have AI security cameras?
AI cameras capture a significant amount of data, raising concerns about who has access, how it’s used, and the potential for privacy violations.
What do Canadian laws and regulations say about this?
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal law, is the cornerstone of data privacy regulation in the country.
PIPEDA requires organizations to:
- Obtain consent: Generally, consent is needed to collect, use, or disclose personal information.
- Be transparent: Organizations must be transparent about their data collection practices and provide individuals with access to their personal information upon request.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: The Charter guarantees certain fundamental rights, including a reasonable expectation of privacy.
This can come into play with AI cameras, particularly in areas where there’s a lower expectation of privacy (like public streets) versus highly private spaces (like washrooms).
Here’s the good news:
It means Canadian laws require organizations using AI cameras to be transparent about data collection, have explicit purposes, and obtain consent where necessary.
However, some cities across Canada prohibit the use of facial recognition, considering it an invasion of privacy. So watch out!
Functionalities of AI security cameras:
Some critical functionalities of AI based surveillance cameras include:
Time alerts for parking lots:
AI cameras for parking lots utilize time alerts to monitor how long vehicles have been parked. These time alerts for parking lots help send automated notifications for cars that exceed their allotted parking duration.
Object detection and tracking AI:
These AI systems, known as Object detection and tracking AI, can spot objects like people, vehicles, or other items in a video feed.
Not only that, they can follow these objects across multiple frames, helping track movement and monitor for suspicious activity.
Traffic flow analysis AI:
Traffic flow analysis AI analyzes video footage to understand how people move through an area. This technology can help businesses optimize store layouts, improve crowd management at events, or even design traffic flow in cities.
Mask detection AI:
Mask detection AI analyzes video streams to detect whether people are wearing masks. Potentially helping enforce mask mandates, or in case of a masked break-in or robbery, it triggers an alarm.
Long-range object detection AI:
Long-range object detection AI extends the effective range of cameras, allowing them to spot objects much farther away than usual. This can be crucial for monitoring large areas or ensuring early warnings.
License plate recognition:
License plate recognition can automatically read and recognize license plates on vehicles, enabling features like automatic gate access or identifying suspicious vehicles.
Tailgating detection AI (people):
Tailgating detection AI monitors entry points like turnstiles or mantraps to detect when people follow each other too closely, potentially preventing unauthorized access or piggybacking.
Loitering detection AI:
Loitering detection AI is like a digital security guard that watches for humans or cars lingering in monitored areas.
It can analyze video to identify people and vehicles that stay in a specific zone for an unusually long time, potentially triggering alerts for security personnel to investigate.
Which industries can benefit from an AI security camera?
Businesses of any size and industry can benefit from AI surveillance cameras, which excel at prompt detection and swift response to security breaches.
Let’s take a look at how AI surveillance cameras enhance security across different industries.
Retail:
AI cameras for retail security detect shoplifting gestures, analyze traffic patterns to optimize staffing and store layouts, and monitor POS to identify potential internal employee theft.
Logistics and Manufacturing:
AI cameras oversee production lines for safety hazards, monitor inventory movement to deter theft, and manage access control in restricted areas.
Construction Sites:
AI surveillance cameras monitor worker activity and equipment usage, enhancing construction site security, optimizing workflow, deterring vandalism or theft of materials, and ensuring safety compliance.
Healthcare Facilities:
AI cameras spot slip and falls for safety reasons, track staff activity to optimize workflows, and provide access control in restricted areas.
Smart Cities:
AI cameras can analyze traffic patterns for congestion management, monitor public spaces for safety reasons, and collect data for urban planning initiatives.
Top 3 AI security Cameras in Canada:
These cameras offer high-definition video with advanced analytics, such as object classification, people counting, and facial recognition.
Avigilon is a Canadian company, so you can be assured that its products are designed to meet the needs of the Canadian market.
1. Avigilon H5A camera:
Avigilon H5A cameras are a top choice for businesses seeking high-definition video with advanced analytics.
These cameras excel at object classification, people counting, and even facial recognition, making them ideal for a wide range of security applications.
The AVIGILON H5A camera features an AI-powered search engine, enabling rapid identification of specific individuals or vehicles across the site.
With advanced artificial intelligence, the camera can detect up to 50 individuals or cars in a scene, even if they are stationary.
2. AXIS P3735-PLE Panoramic Camera:
Axis offers a wide range of network cameras, including some with built-in AI capabilities.
Their cameras offer features such as object classification, people counting, and access control.
AI-powered cameras can more accurately detect and classify objects, which can help to reduce false alarms and improve security.
AXIS P3735-PLE Panoramic Camera counts selected objects in an area of interest and triggers an alarm if a threshold is exceeded.
3. Bosch Thermal Bullet IP Security Camera:
All Bosch cameras are integrated with advanced video analytics. Built-in artificial intelligence allows for more innovative motion detection, focusing on people and objects rather than irrelevant movement.
This can trigger alerts for specific events, like someone entering a restricted area, and reduce false alarms.
Bosch AI cameras also excel in low-light conditions with features like Starlight technology for clear color footage.
Cost of AI security cameras:
The cost of AI cameras varies depending on features, resolution, brand, and the number of cameras needed. Expect a range of $100 to $1000 per camera.
You might also want to add in professional installation costs, which can vary depending on the complexity of the system.
If you wish to use cloud storage for video footage captured by AI cameras, this can add ongoing costs.
The future of AI surveillance cameras – Integration with remote video monitoring:
These cameras prove their worth when instant actions follow up on all detections.
The real benefit appears when you combine these AI cameras with remote video monitoring!
The remote video monitoring center receives an alarm signal as soon as the camera AI spots suspicious activity, such as smoke, fire, or an intruder.
The remote operator uses real-time video monitoring feeds to evaluate the circumstances and take the necessary action in compliance with each client’s SOPs.
This could involve voice interventions, getting in touch with the site’s owner, or calling law enforcement.
Conclusion:
AI security cameras use artificial intelligence to analyze footage, not just record it. They can detect objects, track movement, and even recognize faces.
This empowers businesses across industries to deter theft, optimize operations, and improve safety.
When integrated with remote video monitoring, AI surveillance becomes even more powerful. Real-time threat detection by AI triggers instant responses from remote security personnel, ensuring a swift and effective security solutions.
However, Canadian law requires transparency in data collection and respect for privacy. Consider your needs, weigh the costs, and explore how AI security cameras can enhance your security.
Don’t wait – contact us today to take control of your security.
