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Keeping an eye on The London Eye

Imagine trying to install video analytic software that can spot an intruder trying to climb onto a giant revolving Ferris wheel that stands alongside a river whose water rises and falls with the tides.

That was the technical challenge confronting Ipsotek, a company based in Wimbledon, England, that was asked to supply analytic software for use at The London Eye, the UK’s number one paid-for visitor attraction, which sits along the Thames River in the British capital. During a 30-minute "flight," The London Eye provides visitors with breathtaking views from enclosed glass capsules.

Ipsotek uses thermal imaging cameras to provide what it calls "scenario-based detection software."

The project demonstrates the versatility of Ipsotek’s software, said company CEO Chris Gomersall. "If you are underneath the wheel, the likelihood is that you are a customer or legitimate operative," he explained. "But if you have climbed on top of the structure outside scheduled maintenance times, then the client wants alarm bells to ring."

The installation company, Universal Security, said it ran trials to determine the best way to spot intruders. "The first video analytics system we tried could not distinguish between the constant shadows thrown by this huge revolving structure and movement that might be a genuine threat," said Universal’s Phil Foreman.

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