Video-Streaming Blimp Provides Surveillance At Los Angeles Concert

As Madonna fans gathered for the November 6, 2008 Sticky & Sweet concert performance at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium, LiveNation security personnel got a bird's-eye-view of the entire crowd and venue with the help of TopEyeView, providers of a real-time video-streaming blimp used for surveillance, monitoring and broadcasting.

TopEyeView is a 30-foot long, tethered, low-pressure helium blimp delivering "eye in the sky" remote controlled video directly to and from any command and location. TopEyeView deploys to a high vantage point, captures and streams broadcast-quality video, and delivers a wide view at less than 10 percent of the cost of current solutions, such as helicopter-based video. The system's small size and simplicity allows operations in congested areas where no other aerial system can be operated.

"TopEyeView is the ideal way for us to get views from above when monitoring a large venue such as Dodger Stadium," said Scott Nicols, chief security officer of LiveNation. "TopEyeView's ability to cover long distances from any location with exceptional, broadcast-quality optics and image resolution makes this an outstanding choice for an outdoor event such as this."

Because the blimp deploys quickly to a high vantage point, captures and streams broadcast-quality video, and is environmentally friendly, organizations ranging from broadcasters, entertainment and sporting event managers, and law enforcement agencies have deployed the solution. Earlier this summer, TopEyeView flew above the finish line of the 39th Annual Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta to help the Atlanta Police Department more cost-effectively monitor the largest choke point of the race -- in and around the finish line.

"Currently, getting a view from above when monitoring a public event requires costs reaching into thousands of dollars per hour -- with coverage limited by flight platform and field of vision," said Tamir Sagie, CEO of TopEyeView. "Our solution provides numerous advantages related to public safety and security, while enabling significantly increased efficiency and use of environmentally-friendly resources."

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.