Ipsotek was selected by Sydney Trains to deliver an AI-based video analytics solution to security cameras to identify incidences of tunnel and track intrusion at 13 stations across metropolitan Sydney. "Sydney Trains chose Ipsotek, after an extensive comparison of a number of products," said Mark Edmonds, manager of security capability for transport at Sydney Trains. "Ipsotek's proven track record in the AI video analytics space, its partnership with Genetec and its work with Innovate UK's Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) for railway-focused AI applications, made it a well-deserved choice." Ipsotek's project with Sydney Trains follows the company's previous success in delivering an initial programme of work via the Innovate UK SBRI initiative, for the development of AI video analytics, to enhance the rail experience for passengers and staff in the UK. "As a British SME, competing against some of the industry's big-named companies, we are delighted to have been chosen by Sydney Trains, to deliver this project," said Chris Bishop, sales director APAC & marketing director at Ipsotek.

CCTV cameras on Sydney's heavy rail network will be augmented with artificial intelligence over the next six months to automatically detect and report suspicious and violent incidents. Transport for NSW plans to trial the technology to analyse footage captured by the cameras, as part of a new initiative to improve safety for women travelling on public transport at night. It is just one of four winning ideas from the Safety After Dark Innovation Challenge, which offered applicants equity-free seed funding and support through TfNSW's digital accelerator. Researchers from the University of Wollongong's SMART Infrastructure Facility pitched the AI software, which can automatically analyse real-time camera feeds and alert operators. "The AI will be trained to detect incidents such as people fighting, a group of agitated persons, people following someone else, and arguments or other abnormal behaviour," SMART lecturer and team lead Johan Barthelemy said.