Video has been around for a long time, initially being used for entertainment and recording memories. In recent years, however, its purpose has expanded to include public and private security (surveillance) and workplace training. With the outbreak of Covid-19, video communication and analytics have become an even more integral tool for keeping businesses running.
With video analytics technology, machines can automatically analyze videos to detect and trigger alarms for any spatial event. This technology was first used for motion detection; however, earlier versions were inaccurate and often resulted in false alarms.
The use of modern-day technologies such as AI, deep learning, and computer vision has helped to improve the accuracy of video analytics. Cameras that are embedded with video analytics are now able to categorize objects in videos based on size, shape, and color, among other parameters. These newer versions of video analytics-embedded cameras are used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing.
Opportunities and use cases of video analytics in manufacturing
Due to the increasing number of technological advancements and automation, manufacturing companies are now looking for new ways to make their operations more efficient and intelligent. Video analytics is the frontrunner amongst many others. The global video analytics market was valued at about $1528.1 million in 2020 and is expected to reach about $4142.7 million by 2026, according to a report from Mordor Intelligence. Video analytics is becoming a vital component of the manufacturing industry as companies look to improve their efficiency.
- Businesses that use video analytics solutions save money on operational costs by avoiding unnecessary spending. Video surveillance and analytics can be used instead of guards in warehouses and production facilities, resulting in lower overall operating costs.
- Chemical companies use video analytics to automate their processes and make their products more reliable. This allows them to produce high-quality chemicals in less time, thereby, increasing their productivity.
- Many chemical companies use video analytics solutions to ensure safety in manufacturing companies with critical hazards present for great accuracy and efficiency.
- The use of video analytics software has allowed manufacturing companies to create products that are far more accurate than those made by hand.
So, how does video analytics help manufacturers?
Enhancing operations and management efficiency
Video analytics can help improve the efficiency and productivity of a manufacturing facility by allowing managers and workers to monitor and control the various activities of the facility. With smart cameras that are equipped with business intelligence applications, employees can take immediate action to resolve issues, reduce downtime by predicting potential interruptions or production jams, and prevent them from affecting the facility’s operations. Furthermore, analysts can use video footage to identify potential health and safety concerns for employees. These cameras, when equipped with the right applications, can help improve a manufacturing facility’s productivity by allowing staff to identify and target areas of inefficiency. Additionally, this information can be used to plan a more effective layout for the facility, to reduce or eliminate any obstacles to efficient production.
Improving safety hazards for workers
Employee safety is of utmost importance to manufacturers who operate large pieces of machinery daily. If there is a release of hazardous gases or an electric damage incident, it could cause smoke and fire. That’s why manufacturers rely on video analytics to monitor activity in critical areas and set off alarms if employees aren’t following safety protocol.
Enabling and enhancing asset security
Unauthorized access to work premises can be detected and alerted by using video analytics and facial recognition together. This would improve both outdoor and indoor security by only allowing authorized personnel to enter certain areas of the facility. In addition to preventing theft, video analytics can also help alert the authorities when an asset is taken out of its place. Through the use of facial recognition, cameras can be embedded with computer vision and can classify different assets according to their size, shape, and color. This can help raise alarms whenever someone is leaving the area with valuable items.
Inventory management
Manufacturers are focusing more on inventory management and using analytics to enhance productivity. Smart cameras equipped with video analytic applications can be used to manage large inventories in warehouse facilities. In instances where cameras are not permanently installed in buildings, they can be located on drones that autonomously move through inventory, scanning barcodes to capture data. Video analytics can also help identify incoming and outgoing goods and boxes in real-time, based on size and format. This allows for efficient storage of items and maximizes space utilization.
Manufacturers have started counting on digital technologies like IoT, robotics, and AI. A Microsoft report on manufacturing trends states that around 58 thousand units of collaborative robots were sold in 2018 and 90 thousand were sold in 2019. And these numbers are rising every year. The report also explores the use of technology in the design and development of products. It shows that manufacturers can improve the customer experience by getting closer to their end-users.
Having AI-powered video in your manufacturing facility is an investment with a clear value proposition. The benefits are many and it supports human workers instead of replacing them. This is crucial because humans are our best resource and investing in solutions to help them perform better makes good business sense. If you resonate with our article and are planning to incorporate AI and other digital technologies in your daily operations, contact us.