In the aftermath of the pandemic, the surveillance cameras saw tremendous advancements and the introduction of new technologies. COVID-19 enhanced the demand for and acceptance of cameras for a variety of applications such as physical facility monitoring, temperature sensing, and contact tracing.
The most difficult aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been detecting and containing patients as early as possible. During this period, video surveillance cameras, which are generally intended to discourage and monitor criminal activity, performed a dual duty. Surveillance cameras outfitted with thermal imaging equipment were strategically placed across public spaces to detect increases in body temperature and warn authorities of probable instances.
Many governments, shops, and organizations seek systems that can monitor occupancy levels to verify compliance with social distancing requirements in order to comply with these practices while re-opening their facilities and protecting the public’s safety.
Lucas Jiang, General Manager at TP-Link MEA, said, “The pandemic has hiked our technological needs because the physical distance called for better virtual connectivity through more innovative technical solutions. Surveillance cameras too went through massive upgrades and now come with intelligent detection features and unparalleled footage quality. With increasing demand, the surveillance cameras had to be upgraded to fit the new lifestyle & customer requirements post-pandemic.”
Latest camera technology and analytics came into assisting in the detection of early instances, contact tracing and real-time monitoring, determining people are wearing masks, ensuring physical separation, reducing crowding etc. Intelligent video analytics and monitoring are critical in containing the pandemic.
This might also be one of the reasons for an influx in the global surveillance camera market. According to IDC, by 2025, the worldwide market is expected to be worth about $50 billion. Growth will be driven mostly by the rising usage of video for company planning and management, with a CAGR of more than 13%, states the report.
“Organizations are deploying more cameras than ever, increasing the amount of available footage to new heights. Machine Learning and Analytics have brought significant efficiency and optimization to security and surveillance data. These automate surveillance, enable real-time threat detection and notification, provide insights about the environment, and allow organizations to interpret complex surveillance data. However, Machine Learning and analytics do more than strengthen your physical security. These can be used to improve operational efficiency, maintenance as well as support business and traffic intelligence,” said Hassan El-Banna, Business Development Manager, META at Genetec.
During this pandemic, the primary benefit of cameras was security, especially if one was reducing human resources to preserve office infrastructure. There was a significant increase in the use of video monitoring to guarantee that citizens follow all Covid-Protocols. Even SMEs were relying on video monitoring to ensure a smooth operation.
Surveillance camera technology has advanced dramatically in recent months to improve public safety and safeguard cities, businesses, buildings, and communities. The pandemic has encouraged remote monitoring and operation, hastening the replacement of human resources with AI-based technology. Given that video surveillance now provides cost-effective options for monitoring, tracking, and storing data, the sector is growing tremendously.
“The future of surveillance cameras has never been brighter. Strengthened with technologies such as AI, facial recognition, smart analytics and cloud storage to name a few, the industry is primed to grow exponentially over the next few years. At D-Link, we are constantly innovating and experimenting with advanced technologies to create unique solutions that address market needs and help companies achieve business outcomes,” said Sakkeer Hussain, Sales & Marketing Director at D-Link MEA.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous governments throughout the world have taken the initiative to create outbreak-fighting measures based on developing technologies. Many law enforcement agencies are using drones and surveillance cameras to identify and monitor congested locations, as well as to implement disciplinary procedures that notify the crowd.
The entire question of whether or cameras are an invasion of privacy was kept aside and industry saw an increase like never before. The latest cameras has also made surveillance easier than ever before with features like smart detection, remote monitoring, and live and playback watching choices.
