Industry News: UK Teaching Hospital Adopts AI-Enabled Camera Technology

UK Teaching Hospital Adopts i-PRO AI-Enabled Camera Technology

A National Health Service (NHS) Trust teaching hospital in the Northeast UK installed i-PRO X-Series cameras integrated with Milestone’s XProtect Video Management Software (VMS) to upgrade portions of its existing security system from analog CCTV to a fully IP-based setup. The hospital aimed to enhance the security of its large campus by using artificial intelligence (AI) enabled camera technology to extend the capabilities of existing surveillance devices and enhance monitoring.

According to an i-PRO press release, “The X-Series AI cameras are equipped with the AI Processing Relay feature, which allows non-AI cameras, including those from other manufacturers, to gain AI capabilities. Such an approach maximizes the life of existing surveillance systems while significantly reducing false alarms. The hospital was able to enhance its video protection capabilities with new AI features across 100 cameras by installing 25 i-PRO X-Series AI cameras and linking them with their existing non-AI models.”

For instance, the cameras’ on-site learning features allow the hospital’s security team to customize what the cameras can detect and monitor, such as teaching the devices to recognize specific objects and to send alerts when certain behaviors or activities occur in sensitive areas like emergency entrances.

Mergers & Moves

Assa Abloy // Invue

Assa Abloy acquired Invue, a U.S.-based provider of connected asset protection and access control solutions. The purchase expands complementary solutions and products for customers.

Assa Abloy // 3mill ID Corporation and Third Millennium Systems Ltd

The double acquisition of the Colorado-headquartered 3mill ID and the Welsh-based Third Millennium will add to Assa Abloy’s range of physical access control offerings while also providing growth opportunities, including expanded the company’s presence outside of the United States.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety // Encore Technology Solutions

Pye-Barker has expanded to a 46th U.S. state, Arkansas, with the acquisition of Encore.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety // Fire Science Techniques

With the acquisition of Fire Science Techniques, Pye-Barker expands its service footprint in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as adding to its ability to support commercial kitchens and other Midwest businesses.

Naxicap // Vuwall

Private equity firm Naxicap purchased Vuwall, a producer of video wall control and visualization solutions. The move adds to Naxicap’s growing portfolio, along with the acquisitions of Guntermann & Drunck (G&D) in 2020 and Tritec Electronic in 2022.

Motorola Solutions // Theatro Labs, Inc.

Motorola entered into agreements to acquire Theatro, which provides frontline workers with a software-as-a-service platform that hosts various applications improving productivity and physical safety. Motorola and Theatro plan to integrate their workflows across Motorola’s portfolio of technologies.

Contracts

The Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency awarded a $2 million grant to ZeroEyes for deploying AI-driven gun detection to school districts throughout the Commonwealth.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) awarded Leidos a seven-year contract for delivery of a new meteorological and oceanographic (MetOc) service to support the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence. Under the contract, Leidos will work to deliver a scalable MetOc data and services capability, called THOR, which will provide the MOD with additional environmental insights.

Equature, a public safety technology provider, awarded a grant to several Michigan schools to implement its Aware platform for weapons detection and improved real-time threat detection.

E&I Cooperative Services, a non-profit sourcing cooperative focused on serving the education sector, awarded i-PRO Americas Inc. a contract for providing streamlined access to i-PRO’s advanced security systems and services.

Announcements

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre issued a warning that there is an ongoing phishing scam. The scam involves sending potential victims unsolicited text messages claiming that the RCMP were unable to deliver court documents and asking that the recipient reschedule the delivery by clicking on a provided link. Authorities are reminding the public that the RCMP does not send notices via text message.

Partnerships

Fraud prevention. Logistic company MODE Global announced a strategic partnership with Highway, a provider of identity and fraud prevention solutions. The collaboration will strengthen MODE Global’s network integrity, improve operational efficiency, and elevate security across its network.

Public agencies. Wireless communications systems leader Silvus Technologies has partnered with safety solutions provider Safeware to expand public agencies’ access to StreamCaster MANET radios, which offer decentralized communications networks.

Public safety. Iris ID secured a new partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety to add more than 200 iris recognition technology units to the department’s livescan systems.

School security. Allied Universal and the Clery Center have collaborated to support programs and initiatives to create safer higher education campuses in the United States by helping ensure that colleges and universities meet the standards of the Jeanne Clery Act.

School transportation. New York’s Onondaga County and Verra Mobility have partnered to equip more than 500 school buses serving six school districts with stop arm safety camera technology. The system will automatically document and report vehicles that illegally pass by stopped school buses.