Evolving the artificial eye

Driven by advances in sensor technology, processing power and machine intelligence, artificial vision is rapidly evolving. Now, Lector Vision is applying the technology to predictive and real-time traffic management

Words | Lector Vision, Spain

Our world is undergoing unprecedented change due to a common disruptor: technology. One area of rapid evolution – that of trying to imitate human thought-processing – is commonly known as artificial intelligence. In this field, two fundamental challenges arise: the structuring of autonomous learning and the acquisition and processing of both structured and unstructured data. The human brain’s ability to obtain, process and interpret images – in other words, to see – is complex.

Aspirations of seeing

Artificial vision is the branch of artificial intelligence that processes and analyses an image obtained from a capture device such as a camera. It detects faults, identifies elements, contextualizes environments and, in short, draws conclusions. The obtained image can be static or dynamic, in which case they are treated as a set of individual static images and analyzed in sequence. This processing enables decisionmaking based on visual observation: a capacity hitherto exclusive to human beings.

Artificial vision has become intrinsic to digital transformation across numerous sectors and several factors have driven its exponential advance. The rapid evolution of hardware has provided devices with greater computing capacity, better specifications, reduced size and lower power-consumption, enabling solutions impossible or barely viable before.

Cameras and sensors now offer improved resolution, accuracy, speed of response, as well as increased control over and adaptability to environmental factors such as variable light. Nevertheless, the cost of some devices has driven exploration of cheaper, more flexible alternatives, further boosting the development of digital imaging techniques. Reinforced by new algorithms, the processing capacity of devices has evolved, giving rise to more

Above: Lector Vision technology is being used to monitor traffic flow, vehicle speed and incidents on roads in several countries

complex machine learning or deep learning methods with enhanced features and capabilities.

Eyes on the road

It is in this context that Lector Vision has developed its Smart Traffic Manager Suite (STMS). A unique, all-in-one, automatic vehicle recognition system, STMS combines advanced traffic sensors based on artificial vision with a control centre that facilitates real-time data analysis.

STMS incorporates advances in big data, deep learning and convolutional neural network technologies with the application of artificial vision to traffic and mobility. This gives it a significant edge, creating a system responsive to real market needs associated with smart city concepts and integrated traffic management.

Lector Vision’s solution integrates the Advanced Smart Multi-Purpose Traffic Sensor (ASMPTS) with STMS software. The hardware consists of two synchronized image sensors, an industrial processing unit and a communications system.

The ASMPTS is an advanced traffic sensor combining radical innovations based on the latestgeneration artificial vision devices. Developed by Lector Vision, the device fuses multiple functionalities. It can read number plates, detect vehicles without number plates, measure speed instantaneously and recognize a vehicle’s type, make, model, colour, or other delimited areas of interest. It also incorporates fingerprint technology, which can associate each vehicle with unique identifying characteristics other than number plates.

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Lector Vision’s years of experience in developing neural Mind behind the eyes networks, deep learning STMS traffic control- algorithms and centre software gathers and proactively manages all information generated optoelectronics for ITS applications by the sensors, applying advanced processing techniques to enable active, realtime control of the environment. The system obtains multiple forms of data such as traffic flows, average or

instantaneous speeds or disruptions. This allows real-time incident detection and alert generation, the creation of models and early execution of automated actions. Big data, machine learning and data-mining techniques also enable predictive analysis of different variables. Lector Vision’s Smart Traffic Manager Suite (STMS) stands out as one of the most advanced systems available for capturing and exploiting traffic data through artificial vision. ■