Physical and human inspection of assets can be impractical in many scenarios. Additionally, monitoring by video or camera can sometimes produce data that cannot be interpreted.
CGI Machine Vision changes the economics of visual inspection, whether physical infrastructure or traditional Internet of Things (IoT) sensor-based monitoring, by replacing periodic manual inspection with continuous automatic analysis. This frees up employees to do more value-added work. It also increases the rate of coverage severalfold.
By providing a new source of business intelligence, CGI Machine Vision enables a proactive approach to solve operational challenges in any industry where images or videos support monitoring.
CGI Machine Vision helps organizations through a combination of:
- Vision capture or other IoT sensors producing data
- Point-of-capture edge compute generative AI processing
- Analysis using AI and machine learning to interpret images and videos in a human-like way, in fact exceeding the capabilities of a naked human eye
- Integration of processed information into data operations
The solution can be deployed on a range of embedded IoT devices where image data is captured. This includes edge compute boards with attached cameras; cameras and surveillance equipment; drones; thermal cameras; ultrasonic sensors; highspeed cameras; and night vision recording devices.
Images are processed by an onsite graphical processing unit (GPU) where the recording is captured (edge computing or edge AI), using generative AI (GenAI) and deep learning models. GenAI adds value in areas such as anomaly detection, video enhancement, data augmention and privacy preservation. (Note: For clients seeing an off-the-grid or carbon-neutral solution, CGI can supply GPUs including solar panels.)
Encrypted processed data is then sent via our secure cloud hub. Edge-compute processing solves data transmission delay and bandwidth concerns. Only relevant, processed information is pushed to data operations, providing real-time analysis tailored to your objectives.
CGI Machine Vision uses a digital twin first philosophy. Data is captured and then securely synchronized from the point of capture to a live digital model. Additionally, the solution is designed with the principles of secure-by-design and secure-by-default.
CGI Machine Vision’s AI-powered analysis enables real-time responses and the adoption of predictive and proactive operational models. Organizations can improve asset resilience and availability, sustainability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Increase data quality by improving the velocity, accuracy, efficacy, and efficiency of visual inspection
- Increase the availability and speed of real-time data analysis
- Reduce latency of sending image and video streams to the cloud
- Reduce cloud storage and data transfer costs incurred sending data to the cloud for analysis
- Capture more data points, more frequently, without increasing the cost of data
- Deploy always-on, automated solutions that are not dependent on human resources
- Implement use cases, previously impractical and/or impossible
CGI Machine Vision can network devices together to monitor many operations, from wastewater treatment plants and smart water meters to supporting entire smart cities or remote infrastructure. Here are examples where CGI Machine Vision helps our clients reduce costs, ensure regulatory compliance and improve safety.
- Counting people at events and facilities
- Monitoring crowds at public transport stations to keep passengers safe
- Generating retail interest ‘heat maps’ to inform product and services placements
- 24x7 monitoring of uncrewed facilities such as water treatment plants, dams, pipes and substations
- Alerts for stopped or slow equipment, leaks or unusual activity (e.g., unauthorized access)
- Monitoring the integrity of remote or difficult-to-access assets such as bridges and railways
- Alerts for property damage (e.g., flooding, vegetation encroachment, wear and tear)
- Real-time analysis of production line and item quality
- Crop monitoring
- Autonomous monitoring of multiple operations simultaneously
- Gauging production volumes and outcomes
- Dynamic asset discovery
- Alerts for vandalism and graffiti
- Monitoring garbage and bin collections
- Monitoring parks and road assets
- Detecting impending bridge strike or level crossing issues before vehicle impact
- Real-time extraction of vehicle registration plate details
- Gauging volume and loads of vehicles
- Detecting loose or unsecured loads
- Supporting multiple traffic lanes
- Detecting bird and flock numbers
- Environmental threat analysis
- Detecting birds, bats and other wildlife that can cause damage to an aircraft
- Alerts for remotely-monitored traps, burrows, nests and hives
- Near real-time water usage measurements
- Intelligent tracking of water usage source (e.g., showers, toilet)
- Alerts for leaks and other disruptions
- Adding digital readers to existing meters without the need for plumbers
- Improving worker safety and security compliance through video analytics:
- Monitoring use of safety and protective clothing
- Detecting workplace accidents
- Identifying potential hazards
- Tracking vehicle site visits
