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Using AI, a child’s description could be distributed instantly to all nearby cameras and shared with law enforcement.
AI-powered security cameras could save up to 10,000 lives yearly, Motorola Solutions’ Chief Technology Officer, Mahesh Saptharishi, has said. Speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm AI conference, Saptharishi said these “smart” cameras could enhance public safety by improving response times for first responders.
Saptharishi emphasised how language barriers on 911 calls can slow emergency responses. AI features such as real-time translation and image recognition could overcome such challenges. He estimated that cutting just 60 seconds from average 911 response times could make a significant difference.
“Everything the cameras do is built in,” he said, highlighting these AI-enabled cameras are only slightly more expensive than basic ones. The cameras can analyse data quickly, enabling faster actions by law enforcement and first responders.
The CTO gave an example of a missing child report. Using AI, a child’s description could be distributed instantly to all nearby cameras and shared with law enforcement. The system would ensure privacy by selectively processing data, Saptharishi noted.
Motorola’s video technologies are widely used by police departments, schools and other public safety institutions. The company faced a lawsuit earlier this year. Massachusetts police and Motorola were accused of illegally recording residents with the company’s “intercepting devices,” raising concerns about civil rights and privacy violations.
Apple is also entering the security camera market with innovative technology. The company recently patented a “bodyprint” system that combines facial recognition with physical characteristics.
The patent, spotted by Gadgets 360, describes how Apple’s cameras could recognize people without a clear view of their face. Instead, it would analyse physical traits like torso shape or clothing to create a profile. This builds on Apple’s facial recognition technology used in iPhones and expands its capabilities.
The camera could identify individuals even if their faces are obscured, relying on a combination of facial and physical attributes. Apple’s technology aims to enhance security and accuracy in identifying individuals.
AI-powered security cameras are gaining attention for their potential to save lives and improve public safety. However, privacy concerns and legal challenges remain significant hurdles in adopting these advanced systems.