Sony XI's Wide Area Monitoring on Watch Duty at the National Mall

Sony Security’s XI’s wide area monitoring solution is now in operation keeping watch over the National Mall and Memorials area in Washington, D.C. Working in collaboration with the United States Park Police (USPP) as part of a technology trial, the XI’s system incorporating the XIS-3420 high-definition unit, plus the XIS-3310 thermal and panoramic thermal cameras went “live” over the July 4th holiday weekend and will remain in operation through the year-long test period. In addition, the XI’s array is augmented with a Sony SNC-RH164 HD PTZ camera.

The HD and thermal XI’s live and panoramic cameras monitor the entire area from a single location and transmit image data over an IP network for storage on a server. The SNC-RH164 HD PTZ camera was used to monitor activity across the river in Virginia. On the backend, the VidSys physical security information management (PSIM) software system integrates, correlates and analyzes data from the XI’s and other security systems also in place. Together, they will help protect some 24-million visitors that typically come to the grounds over the year. The Mall runs 1.9 miles from the Capitol steps to the Lincoln Memorial and covers more than 300 acres from the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial.

“This is a team effort and a shared learning experience that advances the technology,” said Captain David Mulholland, commander of Technology Services, United States Park Police. “We decided to conduct this comprehensive trial because we see the potential it has to go beyond today’s fixed infrastructure. The key is not just the ability to gather vast amounts of visual data, but to turn that into relevant information. The system has added the equivalent of up to 100 additional cameras to our existing system, but did not leave us overloaded with data.”

Wide Area Monitoring: “Streamlined, More Effective”

“Providing video surveillance for the National Mall and Memorials area – a wide, varied expanse with constantly changing imaging conditions due to changing weather and lighting - is precisely the challenging environment that the XI’s wide area monitoring solution is designed to tackle,” said Mark Collett, general manager, Sony Security Systems Division. “This provides a streamlined, more effective approach than providing such coverage through traditional means.”

Collett added that the XI’s system’s ability to view a wide area in extraordinary detail with its 240+ megapixel images affords particular advantages. While the initial test implementation is being used to enhance the existing systems, it can help reduce the “camera clutter” required to properly carry our surveillance through traditional means. Instead of using hundreds of cameras scattered throughout such sites, the XI’s’ centralized architecture requires a far less intrusive “footprint” and so preserves the look and feel of historic locations while maintaining safety.

The USPP’s decision to move forward with the comprehensive technology test followed two successful live demonstrations conducted jointly by Sony and VidSys. The first was conducted at a USPP facility in January during a heavy snowstorm. Despite the inclement weather which would have significantly degraded the imaging captured by traditional technologies, the XI’s environmental analytic pierced the precipitation to produce clear live images and video. This was followed by similar results during a full-scale test on the National Mall during Memorial Day weekend using the XIS-3420. Together, these cleared the way for the full deployment of the XIs panoramic and thermal viewing and recording system now in operation.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.