Latest news with #MilestoneSystems
Techday NZ
28-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Sourcing video data for AI training: overcoming the challenges of scale, safety and representation
As AI advances, its potential benefits to video security are undeniable. The market for AI-powered video analytics is predicted to grow from $32 billion in 2025 to over $133 billion by 2030, due to its wide-ranging applications in e.g. cities, retail, logistics and manufacturing, residential developments and transport., where it can increase operational efficiency, improve energy efficiency, deliver marketing and sales insights – and much more. To unlock these benefits, however, organisations must always err on the side of responsible use. Most importantly, this also extends to the data used to power and train AI models. Understanding data transparency and quality As a recent Amnesty International report highlighted, there needs to be transparency around the use of AI-powered video surveillance. However, to do so, it's vital that we go back a stage and closely consider the quality and origin of the data that an AI model has been trained and fine-tuned on. As AI-enabled video is rolled out, developers mustn't fall into the same trap as their colleagues working on the large language models (LLM) on which generative AI depends, namely, the challenge of sourcing enough data for AI model training. LLM developers, unfortunately, find themselves paying increasing amounts for large data sets, due to their scarcity, lack of privacy measures, or facing litigation from rights holders. Bias from unrepresentative data may have also tainted the implementations of AI, with knock-on impacts on people's trust in AI and the insights delivered. Building accurate video AI models In order to mitigate many of these challenges before they spread, considering how to gain access to high-quality, responsibly sourced, visual data to train AI video models is crucial. The datasets used to train AI models need to be representative, diverse to ensure accuracy and fairness, and legally sourced to respect data owners' IP rights. This is not a simple task to obtain, especially when dealing with sensors such as cameras that can collect a lot of personal or confidential information. One solution to this challenge is Project Hafnia; a platform developed by Milestone Systems in partnership with NVIDIA, leveraging NVIDIA NeMo Curator and AI model. Project Hafnia enables data generators to share and utilise their data and allows developers to access traceable and regulatory-compliant annotated video data, which thereby can be used to train AI models. One of the first data generators to the platform is the American city of Dubuque, Iowa. Along with AI analytics company Vaidio, Milestone built a collaborative visual language model that transformed Dubuque's raw video, via anonymization and curation, into powerful training material, improving AI accuracy from 80% to over 95%. This leap forward has enabled smarter traffic management, quicker emergency responses, and stronger public safety. All done responsibly and without massive infrastructure overhauls. With Milestone's recent acquisition of brighter AI, a company specializing in anonymization solutions, a further layer of data privacy has been added to Project Hafnia. Thus, brighter AI's technology automatically detects a personal identifier such as a face or a license plate and generates a synthetic replacement. Consolidating and curating data from multiple data generators is one way for developers to obtain enough visual data on to develop accurate AI models to detect events such as vandalism, vehicle accidents, and traffic flow. Synthetic data for hard-to-gather data sets Another solution comes in the form of synthetic data, which is artificially generated or augmented datasets that simulate or generalise real-world conditions. Using synthetic data, AI developers can train models on vast amounts of diverse and representative information while mitigating the ethical and legal concerns surrounding privacy and consent. For example, in Aalborg Harbour in Denmark, training an AI model to detect individuals falling into the harbour was not possible due to the dangers that would pose to human volunteers. The dataset also needed to include a diversity of human actors such as wheelchair users. Using dummies couldn't fully capture the full complexity, either. The best solution, therefore, was synthetic data that could expand the training dataset with diverse falling scenarios, avoiding safety or ethics concerns. The AI model developed through this process shows promising results to alert rescue teams if and when a person falls into the harbour, increasing the chances of survival by minimising response times and reducing cold water exposure. Unlocking the potential of AI in video AI holds great promise for our cities, buildings, and individual safety. Yet, this can only be realised with AI models that fully capture the complexities of our built environments and human behaviour. Video analytics developers should explore their options when trying to build a comprehensive data set for AI model training. New, responsible options are emerging - from consolidated data gathered across many data generators to synthetic data generators. It's just a matter of where to look.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Milestone Systems unveils future-ready security upgrades for the Middle East market
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Amidst the evolving surveillance and security landscape in the Middle East, Milestone Systems announces updates across its complete security technology portfolio, for XProtect video management software, BriefCam AI-powered analytics, and Arcules cloud video security. These new features aim to provide security teams in the Middle East and beyond with practical, easy-to-use tools that improve response times, strengthen protection of people and assets, and simplify day-to-day operations Access Control Visualization Security operations often struggle with switching between different interfaces to monitor video and access control systems. The new XProtect 2025 R2 addresses this challenge by bringing access control directly onto Smart Map. Operators can now see doors and access points, such as card readers, entry gates, turnstiles, and other controlled entry devices, on the same map as their cameras, making it easier to monitor facility security at a glance. When an access-related event occurs, the door icon on the map automatically updates, allowing operators to quickly identify issues. Teams can acknowledge alarms and control doors directly from the map interface, saving valuable time during security incidents when every second counts. Practical Workflow Improvements Operators will notice several practical improvements in their daily workflow. When creating image snapshots in investigations, operators can now include time stamps and camera information directly on the images, a frequently requested feature that improves traceability in reports. The Smart Client also combines previously separate HTML and image/text functions, making it easier to build comprehensive security dashboards. For development partners, XProtect 2025 R2 enhances the Milestone Integration Platform with geographic positioning for access control units and expanded video codec support for web applications. The Milestone AI Bridge 2.0.0 is now officially available for production, making it easier for organizations to integrate artificial intelligence with their security video. Enhanced Analytics Portfolio The latest updates from BriefCam focus on delivering more reliable performance and intuitive operation for security teams using video analytics. Key enhancements include: Enhanced stability through modernized infrastructure and strengthened security frameworks for consistent performance when analyzing large volumes of video data New Home Research Dashboard with tailored views for specific use cases, making it easier for different types of users to access the tools they need most Improved visualization capabilities through enhanced mapping in the Respond Module to help better understand incident patterns and locations Streamlined workflows for creating custom classifications and improved synchronization with video management systems Flexible Cloud Security Solutions For organizations transitioning to cloud-based security, Milestone's Arcules platform has received substantial enhancements that address the growing demand for flexible, scalable video surveillance solutions. The updated platform delivers: Improved enterprise scalability, allowing organizations to expand their video security coverage without compromising performance or management complexity Enhanced user management capabilities that provide administrators with better control over access permissions and system configurations Expanded analytics features that help security teams extract more value from their video data and identify patterns more effectively Better integration capabilities with existing security infrastructure, making it easier to adopt cloud-based video surveillance without disrupting established workflows These improvements enable organizations to deploy hybrid security architectures that seamlessly integrate cloud and on-premises components, providing the flexibility to adapt security strategies as needs evolve. "Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are setting the standard for incorporating AI-powered surveillance to improve security and public safety, especially in light of the technology's rapid advancement. It becomes essential for security firms to stay ahead of these shifts and keep improving AI technologies, aligning with their services,' says Louise Bou Rached, Director – Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, Milestone Systems. 'These new upgrades give security experts greater capacity to protect individuals and assets while expediting operations. Reaffirming Milestone's position as a leader in integrated security solutions, the continuous innovation assures that security professionals are prepared to handle modern issues, whether on-premises or in the cloud." Sign in to the Milestone Systems partner portal and learn more. About Milestone Systems Milestone Systems is a world leader in data-driven video technology used in industries as diverse as manufacturing, airports, law enforcement, retail, and traffic management. We provide a clear picture of how to create a safer, better and more prosperous world. Our XProtect video management software, BriefCam AI-powered analytics, and Arcules cloud VSaaS help our customers learn from the past, understand the present, and predict the future. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Milestone employs more than 1,500 people worldwide and has been an independent company in the Canon Group since2014. For more information visit: For news and other press releases, visit our Newsroom. Contacts Namita Thakkar - namita@
Web Release
27-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
MILESTONE SYSTEMS UNVEILS FUTURE-READY SECURITY UPGRADES FOR THE MIDDLE EAST MARKE
Amidst the evolving surveillance and security landscape in the Middle East, Milestone Systems announces updates across its complete security technology portfolio, for XProtect video management software, BriefCam AI-powered analytics, and Arcules cloud video security. These new features aim to provide security teams in the Middle East and beyond with practical, easy-to-use tools that improve response times, strengthen protection of people and assets, and simplify day-to-day operations Access Control Visualization Security operations often struggle with switching between different interfaces to monitor video and access control systems. The new XProtect 2025 R2 addresses this challenge by bringing access control directly onto Smart Map. Operators can now see doors and access points, such as card readers, entry gates, turnstiles, and other controlled entry devices, on the same map as their cameras, making it easier to monitor facility security at a glance. When an access-related event occurs, the door icon on the map automatically updates, allowing operators to quickly identify issues. Teams can acknowledge alarms and control doors directly from the map interface, saving valuable time during security incidents when every second counts. Practical Workflow Improvements Operators will notice several practical improvements in their daily workflow. When creating image snapshots in investigations, operators can now include time stamps and camera information directly on the images, a frequently requested feature that improves traceability in reports. The Smart Client also combines previously separate HTML and image/text functions, making it easier to build comprehensive security dashboards. For development partners, XProtect 2025 R2 enhances the Milestone Integration Platform with geographic positioning for access control units and expanded video codec support for web applications. The Milestone AI Bridge 2.0.0 is now officially available for production, making it easier for organizations to integrate artificial intelligence with their security video. Enhanced Analytics Portfolio The latest updates from BriefCam focus on delivering more reliable performance and intuitive operation for security teams using video analytics. Key enhancements include: ? Enhanced stability through modernized infrastructure and strengthened security frameworks for consistent performance when analyzing large volumes of video data ? New Home Research Dashboard with tailored views for specific use cases, making it easier for different types of users to access the tools they need most ? Improved visualization capabilities through enhanced mapping in the Respond Module to help better understand incident patterns and locations ? Streamlined workflows for creating custom classifications and improved synchronization with video management systems Flexible Cloud Security Solutions For organizations transitioning to cloud-based security, Milestone's Arcules platform has received substantial enhancements that address the growing demand for flexible, scalable video surveillance solutions. The updated platform delivers: ? Improved enterprise scalability, allowing organizations to expand their video security coverage without compromising performance or management complexity ? Enhanced user management capabilities that provide administrators with better control over access permissions and system configurations ? Expanded analytics features that help security teams extract more value from their video data and identify patterns more effectively ? Better integration capabilities with existing security infrastructure, making it easier to adopt cloud-based video surveillance without disrupting established workflows These improvements enable organizations to deploy hybrid security architectures that seamlessly integrate cloud and on-premises components, providing the flexibility to adapt security strategies as needs evolve. 'Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are setting the standard for incorporating AI-powered surveillance to improve security and public safety, especially in light of the technology's rapid advancement. It becomes essential for security firms to stay ahead of these shifts and keep improving AI technologies, aligning with their services,' says Louise Bou Rached, Director – Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, Milestone Systems. 'These new upgrades give security experts greater capacity to protect individuals and assets while expediting operations. Reaffirming Milestone's position as a leader in integrated security solutions, the continuous innovation assures that security professionals are prepared to handle modern issues, whether on-premises or in the cloud.' Sign in to the Milestone Systems partner portal and learn more.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Smarter Streets Ahead: AI Platform Sets Blueprint For Urban Innovation
A breakthrough in AI-powered traffic management is putting the future of city infrastructure on the fast track — and it's a vision that could soon be applied across cities in Australia and New Zealand. Milestone Systems has unveiled a next-gen video data platform, Project Hafnia, developed in partnership with NVIDIA and now rolling out in European cities following its inception in the US. At its core, Hafnia is designed to power smarter, safer and more efficient cities through ethically sourced and regulation-compliant video AI models — a concept equally applicable in the Southern Hemisphere. With traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and public surveillance emerging as key challenges for growing urban centres across ANZ, Project Hafnia offers a roadmap for leveraging AI responsibly. The system uses NVIDIA's advanced GPU platforms and large-scale video datasets — both real and synthetic — to train visual language models (VLMs) that can help city officials understand traffic flows, detect hazards, or summarise surveillance footage for faster response. 'Our cities don't just need more data, they need better, smarter data,' said Thomas Jensen, CEO of Milestone. 'With Project Hafnia, we're building the digital foundation for cities that are safer, more transparent, and AI-enabled — without compromising public trust or privacy.' While currently operational in Genoa, Italy, the platform is built to scale globally. The opportunity for ANZ councils lies in adapting this blueprint to local conditions, unlocking better traffic coordination, real-time monitoring, and urban planning insights — all with compliance and citizen protection at its heart.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Milestone's video technology powers next-gen AI for smart cities
Dubai, UAE: Dubai is expanding its innovative work in developing artificial intelligence-powered traffic technology through its AI Strategy 2030, looking to transform urban mobility through advanced AI traffic control systems, directed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). A new opportunity is now emerging for smart cities like Dubai. Milestone Systems has launched Project Hafnia - a collaborative project aimed at building a compliant data library and creating high-performing AI models, so-called visual language models. The future of smart city technology and transformation of urban mobility and safety isn't being shaped in Silicon Valley — it's taking root in the small US city of Dubuque, Iowa. The city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to the unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems under Project Hafnia. Challenge: High-Potential AI, Low-Quality Data Despite extensive camera deployments, cities often struggle to derive real-time intelligence from video. AI models trained on synthetic or generic datasets frequently underperform in complex, real-world environments. High false-positive rates make them impractical for daily operations, especially in time-critical applications like traffic management, preventing municipalities from gaining the real-time insights needed to improve mobility, safety, and emergency response. Solution: Public-Private Innovation in Action Project Hafnia, led by Milestone Systems, develops a high-performance, real-world AI model. Milestone led the 12-month project from initial concept to full-scale deployment, investing in cloud-based AI training and professional video annotation. Unlike conventional vendor-customer setups, this collaboration was structured with shared value in mind: each party contributed expertise, resources, and infrastructure, aligning toward a common goal. At the heart of this success story is Milestone's investment in creating a secure, high-quality, and legally compliant data library that supports transparency and data traceability requirements in evolving AI regulations. Milestone transformed the city's raw traffic footage into valuable AI training material. This investment paid off dramatically, with model accuracy jumping from 80% to over 95%. Below that threshold, false positives are too frequent, undermining usability. Above it, cities unlock new levels of accuracy and insight. Results: Scalable, Transferable, Trusted With more than 100 traffic cameras participating in the trial, Project Hafnia validated AI performance in the field across a range of changing light, weather, and traffic patterns. The resulting platform is scalable and transferable, giving other cities a tested blueprint for AI-enhanced urban operations. AI models originally developed for traffic monitoring (vehicle classification, pedestrian tracking, anomaly detection) can now be repurposed to support public safety, emergency response, and infrastructure planning across departments. Louise Bou Rached, Director – Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Milestone Systems, expressed,"Project Hafnia shows how a collaborative strategy and a shared dedication to data integrity can contribute to transforming urban solutions. Milestone Systems and its partners have attained unmatched model accuracy of over 95% by using real-world traffic footage and careful data annotation, thus facilitating cities like Dubuque and Dubai to deploy artificial intelligence with confidence. This project not only shows scalable and transferable technology but also opens the door for more sustainable, safer, and smarter urban mobility worldwide." A New Framework for Public-Private Innovation Beyond the technical achievements, the project established a new template for collaboration between cities, technology vendors, and platform providers. Rather than a traditional vendor-customer relationship, the collaboration operated on balanced value exchange principles. The collaboration brought together diverse perspectives and created a forward-looking solution that evolved organically. From concept to working prototype to full-scale deployment, every participant helped shape the outcome. Thomas Jensen, CEO of Milestone Systems, emphasized the broader vision: 'At Milestone, we believe that AI innovation starts with trusted data and open collaboration. Project Hafnia proves that with the right platform, even mid-sized cities like Dubuque can lead the way in responsible, data-driven transformation. This is a blueprint for how cities everywhere can harness AI to improve safety, mobility, and quality of life — all while staying in control of their data.' Project Hafnia not only demonstrated that real-world AI can work, it showed that it can scale, ethically and collaboratively. Project Hafnia is more than a traffic management success story. It's a living prototype of how cities — big or small — can unlock the full potential of AI by investing in data, partnerships, and transparency. *Source: AETOSWire Contacts Namita Thakkar - namita@
