Axis Communications is expanding its core business in the field of video security to include additional areas of application such as business intelligence and operational efficiency improvement. (©Axis Communications)

IDC report in collaboration with Axis Communications highlights the potential of AI-powered computer vision solutions

Rising costs, geopolitical uncertainties and volatile markets are posing ever greater challenges for industry, manufacturing, logistics and retail. Companies are therefore increasingly turning to digital technologies to make processes more efficient, resilient and secure. A recent report by the internationally renowned market research institute IDC, produced in collaboration with Axis Communications, shows how scalable, AI-powered computer vision solutions can help companies tackle these challenges.

Network cameras are primarily used to protect property and infrastructure from theft, sabotage and unauthorised access, as well as to ensure the safety of people and their surroundings. However, modern, AI-powered video analytics capabilities are increasingly expanding this range of applications and enabling new uses, for example in process and machine monitoring, quality control and predictive maintenance. The basis for this is ‘computer vision’ – a subfield of AI that enables large amounts of data from formats such as images and video to be automatically extracted, analysed and further interpreted.

Computer vision: seeing, understanding and acting with network cameras

The IDC report entitled ‘Greater efficiency, resilience and security with AI-powered, scalable computer vision solutions’ highlights current market trends in the field of computer vision, identifies key areas of application and provides practical recommendations for companies looking to boost their operational performance through intelligent video analysis. In addition, the report presents exemplary application scenarios from companies that have already transformed their operations with computer vision solutions.

The report highlights three applications in particular: intelligent monitoring of production processes to prevent disruptions and inefficient workflows, automated quality control with real-time error detection, and targeted process optimisation to increase productivity and quality.

According to the results of the market study underlying the IDC report, 49 per cent of manufacturing companies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) consider optimising their production processes to be very important. 34 per cent of respondents see particular benefits in predictive plant monitoring and diagnostics. Forty-eight percent believe that industrial AI applications are very important for more efficient quality control and assurance processes.

Increased focus: business intelligence and operational efficiency

In the context of the ongoing digital transformation across various industries, this development means a rigorous further development of Axis Communications’ own core business. For over 40 years, the technology leader in network video has been synonymous with high-performance video security solutions. At the same time, Axis Communications is leveraging its proven technology in security applications to tap into additional fields of application such as business intelligence and operational efficiency improvement. Axis Communications network cameras are already being used in combination with AI-supported analysis functions in the industrial, manufacturing, logistics and retail sectors, for example to optimise quality control of vehicles on assembly lines, to reduce transport costs through optimised truck fill rates, or to automatically detect empty shelves in sales areas in order to identify out-of-stock situations at an early stage.

‘Security and safety will continue to form the foundation of our business activities in the future. The need for security solutions is growing steadily in light of global developments,’ explains Tobias Metsch, Regional Director Middle Europe at Axis Communications. ‘However, technological advances in the areas of industrial AI, AI analysis and computer vision are opening up new strategic perspectives for us. They enable us to work with partners to create new digital, integrated system landscapes – from intelligent production processes to data-driven decision-making. Our goal is to establish technology as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and measurable added value.’

In the future, Axis Communications will continue to pursue this path – by expanding intelligent sensor networks and utilising actionable data analytics in close collaboration with technology partners who enable new applications through specialised AI and software solutions.

Network cameras from Axis Communications are used in combination with AI-powered analytics in the industrial, manufacturing, logistics and retail sectors. (©Axis Communications)

Prerequisites: edge computing, cyber security and image quality

Axis Communications relies on proven strengths: its network solutions are based on open standards and can be seamlessly integrated into existing IT and security infrastructures. The open system architecture enables both the easy integration of Axis devices and the flexible integration of third-party applications, such as for AI-supported video analytics. The Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP) allows customised applications to be implemented directly on Axis devices – either at the edge, on servers or in the cloud.

At the heart of Axis technology is the proprietary ARTPEC System-on-Chip (SoC), which enables powerful analytics applications based on deep learning ‘on the edge’, i.e. directly on the camera itself. This reduces bandwidth requirements and enables real-time analytics directly at the image capture location. In addition, the ARTPEC chip offers excellent image quality, fulfilling an essential requirement for computer vision applications to provide reliable and accurate data.

Another central component of Axis technology is cyber security. The secure-by-design approach means that security principles are already embedded in product development. Features such as secure boot and a signed operating system ensure that only trusted software is executed. This is particularly relevant in hybrid IT/OT environments, where compromised devices could jeopardise not only sensitive data but also entire production or supply systems.

The IDC report shows how Axis Communications meets the requirements in the field of computer vision. The full report with detailed insights into market trends, application scenarios and technological requirements is available for download here.