Latest news with #LicensePlateRecognition
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
RIP: Tragic end to search for missing Bellville woman as body found in guesthouse
What began as a frantic search for a missing Bellville woman has ended in heartbreak after the body of Chantal Pelser was discovered in a Cape Town guesthouse on Wednesday afternoon. She was 52. Pelser had been missing since Sunday, 25 May, after she was last seen driving her silver Hyundai i10 through the Bo-Kaap area around 13:00, reportedly heading toward Kloof Nek Road. Her sudden disappearance prompted a desperate plea for help across social media, with family and friends describing her as vulnerable and urging the public to assist in locating her. After days of silence, hope turned to sorrow when Pelser's body was found in a guesthouse room, following a police investigation that traced her bank card activity to the location. Emergency medical services and law enforcement were already at the scene when relatives arrived. The news was confirmed by Beau Solms, the daughter of Pelser's long-time partner, Linlee Solms. 'We're still in the process of notifying the search agencies and asking them to call it off,' said Beau. She and her mother are expected to officially identify the body on Thursday. According to Lieutenant Colonel Fienie Nimb, spokesperson for the Bellville police, no signs of foul play were discovered at the scene. 'She checked in on Sunday. Her death is currently being treated as a suicide. Investigations are ongoing,' said Nimb. During the search, concern had grown after Pelser's phone went offline shortly after she was last seen. Her vehicle had not triggered any new entries in the License Plate Recognition (LPR) system, further complicating the efforts to locate her. Non-profit organisation PinkLadies, which supports missing persons cases, had flagged Pelser's case as high priority due to concerns about her emotional wellbeing. The family and authorities await official reports and post-mortem results, but the early findings point to a tragic end to a case that had sparked widespread concern and community involvement. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or emotional distress, please seek help. Contact Lifeline South Africa at 0861 322 322 or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) at 0800 456 789 (24-hour suicide helpline). Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Finextra
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Finextra
5 things parking operators should do to make parking payments convenient: By Nikunj Gundaniya
The fastest way to lose a Parker? Make paying harder than parking. Long lines at pay stations. Apps that freeze or confuse. Broken machines. These aren't just minor inconveniences; they're friction points that chip away at customer satisfaction and, eventually, revenue. Today's users expect fast, flexible, and stress-free ways to pay. And if they don't get it from you, they'll find another lot that does. In this blog, you will learn five simple but impactful things parking operators like you can do right now to make payments more convenient. Without any further ado, let's get straight to the point. 1. Eliminate friction at entry and exit points For most people, paid parking feels like a chore. So, the job for parking lot operators like you is to make it feel less like a chore by any means. And the experience at the entry/exit gate often sets the tone. When vehicles get stuck at these points, customer satisfaction takes a direct hit. Long queues and slow-moving lines create stress, especially during peak hours or in high-demand urban zones. The culprit? It's often the outdated payment systems that rely on: Physical tickets Manual payment Poor signage Apart from that, lost tickets, slow barriers, and awkward payment terminals add more friction to the users. To keep the cars flowing smoothly, you should have proper parking payment technology to do the heavy lifting. Streamlining vehicle flow with smarter tech License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems can automatically identify vehicles as they enter or exit your parking lot. This eliminates the need for paper tickets or manual input. Pair this with digital ticketing via mobile apps, and the entire entry-exit process becomes touch-free. Sensor-based systems take this even further. These systems automatically initiate parking sessions and trigger payments without the driver doing a thing. These options aren't just about speed; they remove points of friction and create a smoother, more predictable parking experience. 2. Offer multiple payment options Convenience starts with giving people the ability to pay how they want because no one likes being cornered into using a method that's unfamiliar or inconvenient. Credit and debit cards are still widely used, but digital wallets—like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local equivalents—have become the norm. Supporting a variety of payment methods creates flexibility. And flexibility is what turns a routine transaction into a positive experience. Moving away from cash and on-site kiosks The fewer customers that rely on cash or physical kiosks, the better. Why? It's because maintaining these machines is costly, and downtime leads to missed revenue. Besides, from a hygiene standpoint, contactless payments are now standard, especially in healthcare-adjacent or high-footfall areas like airports, hospitals, and shopping centers. For parking operators like you, digital payments also mean Better tracking Fewer manual errors Reduced overhead When you offer multiple ways to pay without needing to touch a kiosk, you meet customer expectations and also future-proof your operation. 3. Build a mobile-first experience Your customer's smartphone is their command center. From searching for a spot to paying, people do most things on their smartphones. It's also because it's super convenient. A mobile-first experience gives users real-time control. And when it comes to paying for parking, people will want options, and paying through a smartphone is most likely to be among the top choices. This level of convenience reduces reliance on staff, minimizes hardware costs, and unlocks more efficient parking management. Apps unlock loyalty and more A well-designed mobile app does more than facilitate transactions. It becomes a tool for loyalty and engagement. Offering perks, discounts, or subscriptions through your app can keep users coming back. And when you build this on a closed-loop payment system, you centralize everything under your brand. From loyalty points to parking passes to promotions, it's all in one place—without needing third-party platforms that dilute your customer relationships. With closed-loop payments for parking, the entire journey—entry, payment, rewards—is unified in one digital experience. That's what creates long-term customer value. 4. Simplify signage and user instructions Unclear instructions or inconsistent signage do more damage than you might think. They create confusion, slow down transactions, and frustrate drivers, especially for first-time or infrequent users. If your customers don't understand where or how to pay, they hesitate. That hesitation causes congestion and, in some cases, results in unpaid sessions or abandoned lots. That's why clarity at every step is essential. Consistent, visual guidance makes a difference Think of signage and user prompts as part of your user interface. They should be clean, consistent, and easy to follow, regardless of the customer's language or familiarity with your facility. So, how do you achieve that? Use plain language. Add icons. Show step-by-step visuals. Even better, you can pair digital signage with real-time prompts in your mobile app to guide users through the process. Simple directions reduce friction and help customers feel confident, which increases compliance and cuts down on staff interventions. A smooth payment journey isn't just about speed; it's about making sure people don't get lost along the way. 5. Implement automated and seamless payment technologies The best payment experience is one the user barely notices. When parking feels effortless, people are more likely to return. Automation can remove repetitive tasks for both the customer and the operator, like you. So, how can that be done? For that, your parking payment system should: Save vehicle preferences Pre-authorize payments Set up recurring billing for monthly parkers These aren't perks; they're expectations for a modern payment experience. Turning one-time visitors into returning customers Offering automatic billing for frequent parkers or business fleets significantly improves convenience. Plus, it also builds loyalty. You become part of their routine. And that routine becomes revenue. Closed-loop payment systems for parking add another layer of efficiency and control. So, instead of sending every transaction through external providers, you keep the payments in-house—via branded wallet apps and parking passes or cards. This reduces third-party fees and gives you direct control over pricing, offers, and user data. You're no longer dependent on someone else's platform. You'll have your own payment ecosystem. Final thoughts: Every step toward convenience is a step toward revenue When you remove friction, offer choice, and focus on clarity, your customers are going to notice that. They spend less time figuring things out and more time trusting your system. A convenient parking payment experience isn't just a win for drivers; it's also a competitive edge for operators like you. Closed-loop payment solutions for parking make that possible. They centralize everything in one ecosystem, reduce costs, and build brand loyalty without overhauling your existing setup. If you want long-term value, loyalty, and full control over your parking payment operation, it's time to think beyond the basics.
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
FBW expands camera network
Florida Block Watch (FBW) is making massive strides in enhancing the area's safety. The introduction of their ambitious camera project – and the recent announcement that they had purchased their first License Plate Recognition (LPR) camera – has garnered much praise from FBW members and residents alike. 'It's still early days,' says FBW chairperson John Kirsten, adding that the project is driven mainly by FBW members Win Schönfeldt and Casper van der Westhuizen. 'We currently have four facial recognition cameras and one LPR. 'The LPR camera is being fitted with the necessary protection and connections to enable it to be used as a mobile camera that can be deployed wherever it is needed throughout the FBW coverage area.' According to Casper, the current camera monitoring system at their disposal has space for a further 32 cameras. Also read: Florida Block Watch holds clean-up project 'We have agreements in place with prominent local security companies to conduct 24-hour monitoring of our cameras, which helps provide some peace of mind for our residents, while at the same time adding value for the security companies,' he says. Wim adds that residents residing in the FBW coverage area, who have street-facing cameras, are invited to add their cameras to the FBW network. 'We would need to ensure that the cameras are compatible with our monitoring network, but we specifically chose a system that is well-known for its wide compatibility with other systems.' He adds that in other areas, great success has been achieved in safeguarding neighbourhoods through the use of facial recognition, standard CCTV, and LPR cameras. 'We are determined to use any means at our disposal to ensure the continued safety of our residents. Camera technology has more than proven its worth in reaching these objectives.' For more information on the FBW camera initiative, send an email to info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
AITX's RAD Selected by Global Automotive Giant to Modernize Security
Initial Deployment Includes ROSA and AVA Units, Wider Rollout Next Detroit, Michigan--(Newsfile Corp. - March 26, 2025) - Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: AITX) (the 'Company'), today announced it has secured a significant new client, a global automotive manufacturing powerhouse with over 100,000 employees and operations in more than 150 facilities across more than 25 countries. The client's opening order includes one ROSA Independent Observatory (RIO) mobile surveillance unit and two Autonomous Verified Access (AVA) units. RAD's AI-driven security technology now protecting access points at a major global automotive manufacturing site, paving the way for large-scale adoption. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This new client, a stalwart of the automotive industry with a legacy spanning more than 100 years, selected RAD solutions to address longstanding challenges associated with traditional guarding methods, namely high costs and inconsistent performance at guard gates and perimeter assignments. RAD's innovative, AI-driven security technologies offer an ideal solution for mitigating incidents of trespassing, theft, and vandalism. A key factor in the client's selection of AVA was its powerful License Plate Recognition (LPR) capability, which enables seamless issuance and response to Be on the Lookout (BOLO) alerts, providing a critical layer of proactive perimeter defense. 'This was a long road, but entirely worth the effort,' said Troy McCanna, Senior Vice President of Sales at RAD. 'It's not uncommon for enterprise clients of this scale to require extended evaluation and procurement cycles. In this case, it took nearly two years from initial conversations to close, but it's a fantastic example of the persistence and patience sometimes required to win major accounts.' RAD anticipates considerable opportunities for further expansion within the client's global operations. Planned discussions include broader deployment of AVA units, integration of ROSA units at key access points, implementation of the RAD Light My Way safety and escort platform, and multiple ROAMEO autonomous security robot deployments across several flagship facilities. 'RAD's reputation in the automotive industry is growing rapidly,' said Mark Folmer, CPP, FSyI, President of RAD. 'We're hearing from more and more corporate security leaders who have seen the results our devices deliver. Word is traveling fast across security networks within the automotive sector, and it is opening new doors.' This latest enterprise win highlights RAD's growing traction with enterprise clients seeking reliable, AI-driven technologies to improve security performance and lower costs. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITX's RAD, RAD-R, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit and or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz. The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the 'Company'). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. As such, there are no assurances that the Company will meet its expectations with respect to its future sales volume, becoming cash flow positive, ARR or RMR. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price. 949-636-7060
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Axon: Ecosystem Expansion Continues Amid Geopolitical Tensions
In my previous article about Axon (NASDAQ:AXON), I discussed the Axon ecosystem, making it a leader in public safety technology, often considered by many as the Apple of law enforcement. However, in mid-February, Axon's shares took a hit when questions arose over its decision to terminate a partnership with Flock Safety. This collaboration, intended to enhance Axon's Automated License Plate Recognition capabilities, was initially celebrated as a strategic way to expand Axon's reach through third-party innovations. By dissolving the partnership, Axon may now face Flock Safety as a competitor. This sudden split prompted a downgrade from Northcoast, with analyst Keith Housum noting that ending the Flock deal could limit Axon's immediate upside. Investors reacted sharply, sending shares lower. Yet just a week later, Axon's earnings report revealed no fundamental concerns. The company beat estimates, delivering 33% year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth and a 121% YoY increase in EPS. Net revenue retention climbed to 123%, underscoring Axon's success in upselling and cross-selling within its ecosystem. Many law enforcement agencies transition from basic usage to higher-tiered solutions that include AI-enabled transcription, advanced analytics, and real-time situational awareness. These expansions drive recurring revenue upward and deepen Axon's ecosystem advantage, demonstrating that once customers come on board, they often continue adopting additional features. Axon also recorded its 12th straight quarter of GAAP profitability and ended the period with $10.1 billion in future contracted bookings and provided full-year 2025 revenue guidance that exceeded Wall Street's expectations. In this article, I'll explore Axon's evolving technology ecosystem and examine why geopolitical tensions have not derailed Axon's long-term potential. Axon's primary strengths have come from its integrated ecosystem, centered around its digital evidence management platform, its industry-leading body-worn cameras, and new technologies such as drones and the innovative Draft One drone solution. Originally known for its Taser products, Axon rapidly expanded into body cameras. These cameras are considered best-in-class and are deeply embedded in policing operations worldwide, creating high switching costs for customers. The cameras serve as the eyes and ears of law enforcement, capturing extensive audio and video data. Police officers themselves often request these cameras because they offer protection against false accusations. CEO Rick Smith recounts an officer's experience: I had a police officer tell me once he was accused of raping a subject in the back of his car. He had the body camera on the whole way back to the police precinct. Think about what that did. Think about what that saved him from having to try to disprove what otherwise could have been unprovable. Police officers get accused of all sorts of terrible things. And look, a very, very small percent of the time police somebody does something terrible. But this camera, if you're doing the right thing, it protects you from all the nasty, terrible things people might accuse you of having done. This is how Axon initially gained traction. Today, it's far more than just a body-camera company. Its robust ecosystem and subscription-based software model have transformed Axon into a free cash flow (FCF) machine. is the cornerstone of this ecosystem, integrating seamlessly with Axon's many offerings. Rick Smith mentioned in the fourth quarter 2024 earnings call that the company has more than 1 million users of our software solutions, spanning evidence management, real-time operations, productivity, and yes, artificial intelligence. We understand the interconnection of advanced software and hardware (). This is where we differentiate ourselves with our customers. As Axon's product lineup expands, so do switching costs. The network effect around is another advantage: the more law enforcement agencies that utilize the platform, the more digital evidence (body camera footage, written reports, drone footage, etc.) is uploaded, enhancing its overall value. Axon has also seen notable success with its subscription approach, which has driven revenue growth. Since 2021, services have grown at a 50% CAGR, while products have grown at only 26%. Although new Taser models remain supply-constrained (indicating strong demand), the services side faces no such limitations and surpassed $1 billion in annual recurring revenue in 2024, bringing higher margins, too. Moreover, local governments are expected to increase their 2025 public safety budgets, especially for AI and other emerging technologies, which fits neatly with Axon's AI-driven Draft One initiative. Source: Axon Investor Deck Axon's Draft One technology dramatically reduces administrative workload for officers by automating tasks such as drafting initial police reports, real-time language translation, and efficient sorting through extensive video footage, drastically reducing administrative burdens and effectively increasing officers' active duty time. On average, police officers spend 40% of their working day on administrative tasks like report writing. Axon's AI solutions cut this time in half, enabling officers to dedicate significantly more of their shift to active policing duties. This improvement translates to an effective increase in manpower for police departments. Axon continues launching new offerings, such as drones for first responders. I am glad to see progress on this since I discussed it in my previous article. Recently, the Campbell Police Department in California received FAA approval to use Axon's Dedrone to operate missions at night without requiring visual observers. This allows drones to deploy 24/7 as soon as 911 calls come in, providing timely situation assessments. Source: Axon Investor Deck Since my previous update, Axon has expanded its total addressable market (TAM) by $52 billion, bringing it to $129 billion overall. One of the biggest jumps is in enterprise clients, including private security, corporate campuses, correctional facilities, and even educational institutions. The enterprise segment is particularly promising because of its potential for large-scale deployments. Private security firms can equip their staff with Axon body cameras, relying on to store and manage video evidence in a secure, cloud-based environment. Demonstrating this potential, Axon recently signed the biggest deal in company history with a global logistics provider. Meanwhile, corrections departments face overcrowding, staff shortages, and rising scrutiny over inmate conditions. Body cameras and facility-wide systems can reduce violence and provide transparent evidence during disputes. Several states have required correctional officers to wear body cameras while on duty. International business is another major driver of Axon's TAM. International sales already account for a growing portion of Axon's revenues, and the international pipeline, according to CEO Rick Smith, is bigger than just the United States. Demand from countries modernizing their public safety infrastructure fuels interest in body cameras, Tasers, and digital evidence solutions. Nordic countries, for instance, have shown strong interest in the new Taser 10, seeking a non-lethal option to address rising crime rates without adopting a firearm culture. Smith explained: Keep your eye on the Nordic countries. They are doing fantastic work on Taser weapons. I think they're going to play a key role when we talk about making the bullet obsolete. I think the Nordics are going to lead the way. Well, to be honest, they've got a history of being very tranquil countries, but now they're dealing with these massive immigration problems that are spiking crime, spiking violence, but they're not gun cultures, right. So even the police themselves are like, they're generally unarmed, but they need something. And so the Taser for them is a great option. They don't want to have to go up to suddenly be carrying guns in their daily duty. And the new Taser ten is a game changing option for them. Of course, increased geopolitical tensions and trade disputes can pose some risks. One scenario involves a broader boycott of U.S. goods, however, these are typically consumer-focused, and I believe public safety equipment like Axon's would remain unaffected for now. If tensions do escalate and governments begin resisting Axon due to data security concerns, it could create headwinds for the company. Still, because international revenue constitutes only about 15% of Axon's total, near-term impact appears limited. I view this as unlikely at present, but I continue to monitor the situation. Another issue is the ongoing trade war between the United States and other countries, which could present additional hurdles to Axon's international expansion. Most of Axon's international customers are government authorities, though, which makes tariffs less disruptive. Tariffs are paid by the importing country's purchasing agency to its own customs authority, meaning the money essentially remains within the same government. From a tariff standpoint alone, I do not foresee significant disruptions to Axon's operations. The S&P 500 briefly entered a correction due to President Trump's tariff threats, which led to retaliatory measures from targeted countries, increasing uncertainty around trade policies and causing market volatility. This eroded investor sentiment and heightened recession fears. Nevertheless, Axon's stock proved relatively resilient. (Although shares dropped significantly in February because of the Flock partnership termination, geopolitical tensions have not triggered a similar decline.) In fact, Axon maintains a strong balance sheet and a growing stream of recurring revenue, supported by consistent revenue growth, improving profitability, and increasing free cash flow. The software side of the business offers higher margins than hardware, elevating Axon's overall margin profile and making a premium valuation somewhat justifiable. However, Axon does trade at a relatively high valuation. Its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is around 20.5x, and its forward P/S is roughly 16x. The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple sits near 95x, yielding a PEG ratio of 3.88xsteep by most measures. Axon also lacks a perfect public-market comparison, since no other company matches its breadth of offerings in public safety. Another way to assess Axon's valuation is to conduct a discounted cash flow analysis that blends multiple-based and perpetuity growth assumptions. I estimate a fair value of around $472 per share, implying a potential 16% downside from current levels. I lean toward conservative scenarios, given current macroeconomic headwinds. Source: Author All these metrics suggest the stock is overvalued, likely a result of investors' overly optimistic view of Axon's shares. While the company has strong prospects for future growth and I believe in its long-term potential, I'm not ready to add more to my position at these prices. Axon remains a dynamic, innovative business bridging hardware, software, and services in the global public safety and security space. The company's advantages continue to strengthen through AI initiatives, enterprise solutions, and international expansion, all supported by a significant backlog and robust revenue growth. Still, its share price has historically run high. Even with a nearly 30% pullback from last month's all-time high, it may remain somewhat overvalued. I would prefer to see an additional 1015% decline before increasing my position. Nevertheless, I hold a positive long-term outlook, confident that Axon's growth trajectory remains strong. I plan to hold onto my shares and add more if the stock experiences another significant or unjustified pullback. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
