Texas-based remote video monitoring provider Pro-Vigil has announced a social-distancing AI suite that lets retailers and other organisations, such as manufacturers and schools, restore trust in the safety of their work environments.

The artificial intelligence (AI)-driven video monitoring technology measures compliance with Covid-19 prevention guidelines around social distancing, occupancy limits and face-mask use. When the system detects unsafe conditions in a workplace, managers can use this information to remediate the problem by redirecting traffic flows, expanding the use of safety signage, altering schedules and so on.

“Organisations across industries are struggling to restore trust with stakeholders in a post-lockdown world,” said Jeremy White, founder of Pro-Vigil. “The Pro-Vigil social-distancing AI suite is a powerful tool for accomplishing this by automating CDC guideline monitoring and analysis, so our customers can minimise health and safety risks without the need to hire more people or divert staff from their core duties.”

The remote video surveillance system can analyse digital video data to identify areas where guidelines are not being effectively implemented. This gives users the intelligence they need to adapt processes and policies to reduce opportunities for virus spread. Specifically, the cameras can help with three common guidelines:

• Social distance monitoring: Cameras can be programmed to measure the space around individuals to detect when the two-metre rule is violated. This can provide users with information on potential trouble spots, so they can re-evaluate the best way to direct the flow of foot traffic to avoid clustering.
• Occupancy management: Video technology can automatically count building occupants, which can help maintain occupancy control.
• Face mask detection: Integrated object recognition can detect the use of face masks. This can help identify how strictly mask policies are being followed to determine if there is a need to post more signs or take other corrective action.

The suite helps organisations get the information they need, so they can reopen and stay open with confidence. The system delivers compliance information through a daily scorecard, which shows exactly how an organisation is doing in regard to following social distancing, occupancy and face-mask guidelines.

If a problem area is detected, users can drill down to learn more about the issue – where it’s happening, at what time of day and who is involved, for example – allowing them to adapt their safety plans.

“Social-distancing AI suite users can publish their daily scorecard results to further build trust with stakeholders,” said White. “For example, posting signs promoting 99% compliance with mask-wearing, or publicising how building layout has been optimised for social distancing. The daily scorecard provides an easy and efficient way for organisations to let stakeholders know that they are committed to safety and CDC guidelines are being taken seriously.”

Users can also benefit from the company’s security monitoring and crime deterrence capabilities. Additionally, the suite can be configured to the requirements of retailers, academic institutions, manufacturers, industrial sites and warehouses.

Founded in 2006, Pro-Vigil provides remote video monitoring to organisations across North America. The company supplies on-premise and mobile intelligent video monitoring systems, and round-the-clock remote monitoring services. It is pioneering the concept of video monitoring as a service, where users pay a monthly fee for monitoring services, with no capital investments required. Pro-Vigil is backed by private equity firm Riverside.