Industry Focus

Artificial Intelligence and Drones

I went shopping after Christmas. Right there, on sale, I spotted a drone. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the box and for whatever reason, I felt compelled to buy it. I gave it a test flight so that I can better understand the pros and cons of drones in the security industry. I’ve learned a thing or two since that day.

Google has partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD) to help build Artificial Intelligence (AI) for analyzing drone footage. Oddly enough, Google’s involvement didn’t go over so well with some Google employees.

Wait a minute; employees are outraged that the company would offer resources to DoD? Enter Project Maven.

“There’s a general concern in the tech community of somehow the military-industrial complex using their stuff to kill people incorrectly,” said Google’s Eric Schmidt. This is close enough to the dumbest thing I’ve ever read that I’m shaking my conservative head. Having been involved with the Air Force in my younger days, I don’t remember learning about the proper way to kill someone. Project Maven is a fast-moving project also known as the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team; a mission to “accelerate DoD’s integration of big data and machine learning.” The Defense Department spent about $7.4 billion in AI-related programs in 2017.

Like numerous other technologies and security solutions, drones are quickly becoming an equal partner in securing facilities, perimeters, pipelines, and even along the Southern U.S. border and surrounding environments. The military uses drones in numerous ways, some of which protect the very troops that are in a hostile environment. That also means military drones are collecting vast amounts of footage, so much so that human analysts cannot keep up. Until now, the military, or anyone else for that matter, has had a difficult time combing through the data gathered during drone flights.

AI is the game changer. Machine learning enables vehicle identification, which takes the burden off analysts. Project Maven’s goal has been able to provide the military with advanced computer vision, enabling automated detection and identification of objects in at least 38 categories captured by a drone’s fullmotion camera. Project Maven also has the ability to track individuals as they come and go from different locations.

The real problem isn’t with DoD having drones, AI or the resources provided by private companies. It is not a new situation for a private firm to partner with the military, especially to develop policies and safeguards for use, because it happens all the time. The military uses some of this information in the fight against terrorism, and whether you like it or not, there is truly a fight between good and evil.

The concern over drones and AI should be with the weekend drone flier, like me, who is more likely to crash a simple drone in the middle of soccer practice at the local park.

This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.