How AI and VSaaS are Improving Safety in the Construction Sector
How AI and VSaaS are combined to improve safety within the construction sector.
Video surveillance plays a vital role in the construction sector, and the rise of cloud video analytics, AI technology, and video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) offerings has the potential to take this to the next level. In this article, Logan Bell, head of product for Cloudview, shares the uses of AI and VSaaS and other benefits in the construction sector and how they are combined to improve the safety of the construction sector.
Health and safety are critical components of any business, but those in the construction sector need to take additional steps to look out for the safety of workers and protect their own construction firm from the potential financial, legal and reputational consequences associated with failures or shortcomings, in this area.
Video surveillance can play a vital role here, and the rise of cloud video analytics, artificial intelligence technology, and video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) offerings has the potential to take this to the next level. Let’s look at precisely how AI and VSaaS are combined to improve safety within the construction sector.
Understanding AI and VSaaS
First, it is essential to define precisely what is meant by artificial intelligence and video surveillance as a service. The former refers to technology that allows computers to perform complex actions, which have traditionally relied upon human intelligence, and is especially useful for automation and analysis of data.
VSaaS, on the other hand, refers to cloud-based surveillance services offered by third-party service providers. With a cloud-based video management system, users can remotely access the data captured by their surveillance system. Data is also stored in the cloud rather than on-site, allowing more footage to be stored while improving accessibility.
The two technologies can combine to provide cloud video analytics offerings. This will feed data from surveillance cameras through a layer of AI, pattern recognition, machine learning, and similar technologies to extract meaning from it and alert users to any actions, scenes, or situations deemed worthy of attention. As explained in an article from SDM, cloud deployment allows more processing power to be used for analytics purposes.
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Uses for AI and VSaaS in the Construction Sector
While a remote video surveillance system with cloud analytics capabilities can be helpful across many industries, the technology is especially valuable within construction, where there is such a strong emphasis placed on health and safety. In particular, AI and VSaaS can be used to great effect in the following areas:
1. Construction site security
One of the biggest ways in which AI and VSaaS are improving safety within the construction sector is by helping to keep construction sites secure. As a post for IIoT World explains, video analytics can be used to detect line crossing, loitering, increases in capacity, objects being taken, and a variety of other unwanted behaviors.
In situations where a construction site needs to be left unattended, a remote video surveillance system running AI analytics can detect intruders, alert site managers to items being taken, and continually monitor the construction site for other activities with no need for rest, allowing for better protection and much faster responses.
Video analytics also has the potential to identify individuals through facial recognition, and this can be used to manage access to the construction site. Regardless of whether it is during working hours or outside of them, keeping the site secure from unwanted intruders can prevent vandalism and keep workers safe.
2. Risky behavior detection
While it is important to keep construction sites safe from intruders, it is also essential that steps are taken to minimize unwanted behaviors from construction workers too. A cloud-based video management system with AI-powered analytics can be trained to detect the presence of hard hats and flag situations where workers are not wearing them.
Beyond this, video analytics can be used to detect risky behaviors during the construction process itself. This can highlight dangerous acts or mistakes that might end up costly in the long term, but it can also help to prevent issues where the actual quality of the construction work may put people in jeopardy.
In the past, surveillance footage has been viewed after the fact. Yet, the rise of VSaaS and video analytics technology means that risky behavior can be detected in real-time, and site managers can take swift or even preventative action.
Other AI and VSaaS Benefits
Modern VSaaS offerings still provide the conventional benefits of a surveillance system, such as the deterrent effect and the ability to provide evidence in the event of theft or vandalism, but these newer systems also provide some additional noteworthy benefits. For instance, actually identifying perpetrators becomes easier because cloud storage expands data limits, meaning footage can be recorded in 4K quality using multiple surveillance cameras.
In the event that an accident happens on a construction site, facial recognition technology can help to provide a better understanding of precisely what happened, who was involved, and what the response was.
As an article from Health & Safety Matters highlights, it is also common for construction workers to attend work while injured or experiencing ill health, and this is a growing problem that can have severe long-term consequences. Analytics can help to detect the presence of injuries or illnesses so that workers can be managed appropriately.
Building Safety and Success
Construction workers face serious risks in their day-to-day lives, and firms employing these workers must take the right steps to keep them as safe as possible. Fortunately, VSaaS, AI, and cloud technology are helping to modernize on-site surveillance, allowing for real-time responses to unwanted behaviors and significant events.
How are you using AI and VSaaS to enhance your stance on safety and security? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Image Source: Shutterstock
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