Artyom Razumkov- founder of the Satellite Innovation company, which develops software for video analysis. IN
Google did not contact us. Until
- You literally "in the kitchen" did what the whole Google could not with its almost unlimited capabilities - did you learn how to index and process the video?
- We develop technologies and create productscertainly not in the kitchen. A team of more than 100 people will not physically fit there. But seriously, the video is processed and indexed in different ways, and goals can be diverse. Our products are designed for video surveillance systems. Google does not focus on this. There is no question of competition with him at the moment.
- From Google or Amazon have not yet received offers to sell the company for billions of dollars?
- Specifically from Google and Amazon did not come. From others periodically come. But the amounts there, alas, are not billions of dollars, but tens of times less.
What smart cameras can do
- Tell us more about the capabilities of IP-cameras. What is their difference from traditional models?
- IP cameras are digital cameras with a networkan interface that transmits video data through computers, local networks, or the Internet. They can not only transmit a video image, but also carry out its processing directly inside the device, including intelligent video analysis. The last time of complexity and the quality of the functions performed is growing. An IP camera can track moving objects, detect, and even some of the steps of face recognition. And transmit through the computer network not only the video stream, but also the metadata that is the result of intelligent processing.
The first surveillance cameras appeared in 1942the year Walter Bruch installed one of them at the test site where the V-2 rocket was tested. It was necessary to monitor missiles that often exploded at launch from a safe distance. Then the cameras could simply transmit the image and all. With the development of technology, the capabilities of cameras expanded: a recording function appeared, and the image became color. Axis introduced the first IP cameras in 1996. At the beginning of the zero years, the production of cameras of a new format was launched by industry leaders - Samsung, Sony and Panasonic. At first, each manufacturer developed its own codecs and data transfer standards, however, as IP cameras gained popularity, it became clear that we need to develop common standards so that the devices can interact with each other. In 2008, two standards were developed: ONVIF and PSIA. Some manufacturers support both standards. At first, cameras were improved mainly in the direction of increasing resolution, but with the growth of digital technologies, their functionality expanded. There were motion detectors, "alarm" sensors (for example, window damage), an object counter and others.
Leading camera manufacturers: Samsung, Panasonic, Hikvision, Dahua, Falcon eye, Geovision.
— What is the main know-how of your invention?
- We have a quick indexing technology,search functions in the video archive according to signs and inter-chamber tracking are patents. Inter-chamber tracking - the ability to automatically track an object on recordings from multiple cameras. For example, you determine the person whose movements need to be tracked, and our software gives all the records from all cameras on the object with the participation of this person in chronological order. From hundreds of hours of recording, the material that is needed at the moment with the desired object is formed.
You can also find the person from the video bysigns. For example, it is known for certain that a dark-haired woman in a blue dress with a red handbag fell into the camera lenses. It is enough to enter these indicators, and after a few seconds the system will find all the fragments that fit the description. When it comes to finding a missing person or criminal, this technology saves a tremendous amount of time, and this can be decisive.
- What other features do IP cameras have?
- IP camera is just one of the elements of the systemvideo surveillance. We focus on the ultimate objectively confirmed value for the end user. For different users, it can be different.
Many functions depend on where the camera is.used, and from the needs of the end customer. Face detection and recognition can be used not only to find a person in the video. For example, in a hazardous industry, using face recognition, they organize an access control system. And stores receive information about the appearance of a VIP-buyer or a person from the black list. As soon as it appears in the camera visibility area, responsible persons will receive notifications.
This is just one example, in fact there are many. In open spaces, it often makes no sense to install conventional smoke detectors. However, this does not mean that a fire cannot occur there. For timely notification of an incident, the video surveillance system can be programmed so that when smoke or fire appears in the frame, a notification is sent to the responsible persons. In extreme cases, you can even automatically call the fire brigade.
- Does your software use an artificial intelligence system?
— If by this we mean the use of deep learning neural networks, then yes, they are used within our products.
Customers & Sanctions
- Who is the main buyer of your product now? Individuals, business or government?
- We work in the B2B segment. The main direct customers are distributors and system integrators, which provide enterprises with security systems. Through them, the product reaches end users, which, perhaps, are also business - banks, shops, warehouses and other organizations that need video surveillance systems.
- What are you still more focused on: selling equipment, software or services?
- For sale software. In general, Macroscop is a classic vendor of replicated software. We independently invest in its development and sell licenses for it to tens of thousands of users. We are also a vendor of equipment - network video recorders, but they are also based on the software we develop.
- You came under sanctions, what is the reason? Someone scared of competition?
—If you mean restrictions in Ukraine, then Ithe logic of their introduction is unknown. They apply to companies such as Yandex and Sberbank - perhaps leaders in certain industries were chosen, and Macroscop was among them as a leader in the field of video surveillance software.
- The economy in our country has stagnated for a long time, but you have successfully entered the international market. What should happen for you to completely transfer your business from Russia to a more convenient jurisdiction?
—We organized distribution in 55 countries, but our entire team is in Russia. Team is a key element. I can not imagine what should happen for its full relocation.
- CCTV systems do notviolate. How interested are the Russian authorities in the widespread distribution of video surveillance systems? Can we say that we are striving for the Chinese model of total control and social rating?
- The video surveillance system is now practicallyin each building —– both inside and outside. And not only state. The exception is, perhaps, only housing people. Therefore, we can talk about widespread distribution. On the other hand, every square meter is not visible by cameras now. I have no information about plans to introduce a model of social rating based on video identification, but the degree of control is probably increasing.
- It is unlikely that any of the citizens of the Russian Federation gave the “Satellite”Innovation ”or any of its partners consent to the processing of their biometric and personal data. How are the collection, storage and processing of people's images consistent with the law on the protection of personal data?
— Macroscop does not currently process anddoes not store personal and biometric data of people. We do not own or lease any data centers where such data could be stored. We provide a product that is used in the implementation of video surveillance systems. The system is owned and operated not by Macroscop, and in most cases not even by the partner, but by the end user. He must ensure compliance with legal requirements, for example, obtain consent from citizens. But in most video surveillance systems implemented at the moment, no names or other similar identifiers are stored, and biometric indexes are not even built.
- What are the trends in the development of the industry and technologies now?
- It is clear that consumers are interested into get the highest quality picture possible. Therefore, manufacturers, including us, are working to improve the clarity of the image. Much attention is paid to improving the quality of shooting in difficult conditions, for example, in low light.
Consumer requirements foradditional functionality that video surveillance provides. Just writing to the majority is no longer enough; they need to use the information to analyze and make a profit. And manufacturers need to figure out how to do this to meet their needs.
Another important issue is cybersecurity. This problem first surfaced in 2016, when IP cameras and video recorders were used for massive DDoS attacks on servers of large companies and infection with their Mirai botnet. This led to the understanding that even video surveillance systems need increased protection against unauthorized access: using secure connections, complicating the login / password link (it used to be often simple and installed by default), changing the firmware.