Axis Communications, Wentworth Institute of Technology partner for smarter IP video surveillance

Axis Communications (Chelmsford, MA) announced a collaborative educational initiative with Boston-based Wentworth Institute of Technology that provides students with a yearly hands-on training program to accelerate IP video surveillance learning and software application development in the physical security industry.

To kick-off the joint educational initiative, which was announced at ISC West 2013, Axis provided network video equipment accompanied by hands-on training for professors and students in Wentworth’s Department of Computer Science and Networking. The professors then encouraged students to design software applications they believe would solve challenges in the security industry -- without any influence from Axis -- as well as in other areas where network video technology is prevalent, such as telemedicine, webcasting, distance learning and retail store management.

“Ninety-nine percent of all surveillance video is deleted without anyone ever seeing it. However, the next phase of video surveillance will be driven by intelligent systems that can proactively alert users to a potential security incident,” comments Robert Muehlbauer, business development programs manager, Axis Communications. “This collaboration with Wentworth is a major step toward attracting bright new minds to the world of IP video and identifying the next generation of software developers who will help shape these intelligent solutions.”

Related: Axis Communications wins Wall Street Journal's technology innovation award

Axis says the ultimate goal of the ongoing collaboration is to advance the future of intelligent analytic development in the video surveillance industry by expanding computer science learning at Wentworth. Specifically, Wentworth students will develop applications using the Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP), an open platform that enables software developers to create third party applications that can be downloaded to run inside Axis IP cameras and video encoders.

At ISC West 2013, Booth #14057, Wentworth students Nicholas Gelfman and Joshua Ramirez, with the help of Associate Provost and Professor Chuck Hotchkiss, will present “Smarter Surveillance” innovations they have created over the past semester using Axis’ embedded Linux environment.

Gelfman, a computer science major, with the guidance of Professor David Rilett, aimed to create an evolved motion detection application for Axis cameras that can improve a number of tasks, including enabling the camera to detect when an object is moving toward it in order to protect itself from vandalism and damage. Ramirez, a computer information systems major who also manages Wentworth’s Internet radio station, WIRE, created a dynamic object and facial tracking application used for time logging of recognized objects. Referred to as Project Alibi, this application was inspired by the need to efficiently and securely track who enters and exits the expensive studio 24-hours a day.

“Wentworth provides students practical, hands-on learning experiences and our collaboration with Axis offers a unique framework that encourages students to build new and creative applications on top some of the world’s most innovative network video technology,” said Wentworth's Hotchkiss. “We were eager to put Axis’ impressive IP camera technology in the hands of students to further their education and help them craft their real-world developer skills.”

Other IP video applications produced on Wentworth’s campus not displayed at ISC West include: customizable in-camera filters to improve image quality inspired by High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography; a free video management system that automatically detects and resolves Axis IP cameras on the network and enables instant remote control over some core functionality; and real-time video effect modification of live images.

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