App Challenge to add host of innovative solutions for retail, transportation and manufacturing sectors to Security & Safety Things Application Store

August 13, 2020 — Security and Safety Things GmbH is pleased to announce that 21 new and innovative applications are currently in development as part of its App Challenge to create new solutions for the retail, transportation and manufacturing sectors. Developers from 16 different companies have been working on apps that can provide solutions to COVID-19 specific needs or common industry pain points. The apps will run on cameras powered by the operating system developed by Security & Safety Things.

A total of 11 of these new AI-enabled analytic apps have already been loaded onto the company’s open Application Store, and will now be rated by a jury of prominent integrators. Another 10 applications are expected to follow over the coming weeks. The Application Store already features close to 70 camera applications from which integrators and end users can choose to suit their particular use case. Using the Security & Safety Things OS, multiple applications are capable of running simultaneously on a single camera so end users can accomplish several different functions with one device. Also, apps can be replaced over the camera’s lifetime, allowing users to flexibly repurpose cameras and source more value from the hardware investment.

For example, retailers can install apps that can track occupancy levels and detect facial coverings, and later install apps that perform heat mapping or customer traffic flow. Some will assist in preventing shoplifting or address COVID-19 specific challenges, such as the detection of proper face protection, occupancy management and adherence to social distancing.

Applications in the transportation and smart city category will, among other things, assist municipalities in assessing the effectiveness of COVID-19 restrictions or anonymize sensitive data by masking PIN pads, phones, laptops and humans to provide a greater level of privacy. An app example in the manufacturing and logistics category is parcel detection, which will inform building owners when a package is left unattended. This seeks to solve a pain point brought on by the lack of onsite staff in a variety of verticals, due to COVID-19. 

The developers who are creating new apps as part of the App Challenge include:

Retail:

• Link Analytix
• Thirdeye Labs
• Eagle Eye Network B.V.
• A.I. Tech
• TNG Technology Consulting GmbH
• Impact Analytics
• VI Agents Solutions, LLC.

Transportation & Smart Cities:

• GoodVision Ltd.
• Shapes AI
• Sparkline, Inc.
• OpenALPR Software Solutions, LLC.
• ConPDS ApS
• VI Agents Solutions
• A.I. Tech
• TNG Technology Consulting GmbH

Manufacturing & Logistics:

• Hxd3
• Vallum Software
• VI Agents Solutions, LLC.
• Sparkline, Inc.
• Impact Analytics

The challenge, which launched in April, offers developers the chance to present their solutions to leading industry players and compete for three prizes of 10,000€ as well as the opportunity to present their winning application at one of the upcoming Security & Safety Things events. 

Earlier this spring, a jury of experts including Securitas, G4S, Kings Secure Technologies, Bosch, Ateksis, Convergint Technologies, Vision Technologies and Security & Safety Things reviewed the best and most innovative proposals and selected 24 applications to enter the App Challenge. Developers had until July 31 to complete their applications and upload them to the Application Store. The jury, which now also includes Prosegur, will review the 11 applications uploaded by the deadline and choose the best in each vertical category. The three winners will be announced in September. Another 10 apps are confirmed to be added to the Application Store in the coming weeks.

Learn more about Security & Safety Things and its Application Store here: https://www.securityandsafetythings.com/for-developers 

Security & Safety Things and BOSCH 

Security & Safety Things is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH and is part of Bosch’s strategic development of new digital growth markets. In the future, Security & Safety Things wants to attract further investors and accelerate the expansion of its global ecosystem through external partners.

Security and Safety Things GmbH 

Security and Safety Things operates an open IoT platform that connects camera manufacturers, SoC providers, application developers, VMS providers, and systems integrators. Its goal is to accelerate the speed of innovation for security cameras and applications that make use of AI and computer vision. To achieve this, the company offers a free and open operating system for security cameras, a development tool kit for app developers and a device management portal as well as an application store for integrators. Security and Safety Things GmbH is based in Munich, Germany and has been on the market since September 2018. 

Bosch Group (Robert Bosch GmbH) 

As a leading IoT company, the Bosch Group offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries.