Honeywell installs over 7,000 AI cameras in Bengaluru for surveillance

Honeywell has completed the installation of more than 7,000 video cameras powered by artificial intelligence (AI) systems across 3,000 locations in Bengaluru along with a command-and-control center as part of phase one of the Bangalore Safe City Project. The AI cameras will be used by the city police for surveillance and early detection of incidents. It will also be used to collect real-time data for future analysis, the US company added. 

“Honeywell’s Bangalore Safe City project is an example of how technology can be used to help improve the safety and security of all Bangalore’s citizens, while at the same time helping city administrators make more informed choices in near real-time,” said Ashish Modi, president of Honeywell India and Honeywell Building Technologies, Asia. 

CH Pratap Reddy, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, added that Honeywell’s solutions will “strengthen” Bengaluru city police by “improving” real-time monitoring of incidents. 

Several cities in India are deploying AI cameras for surveillance, traffic management, and real-time threat detection on a temporary or permanent basis. For instance, under the Lucknow smart city project, over 700 cameras have been reportedly linked to AI systems to monitor traffic lights in the city, according to a HT report. 

In many instances, these AI cameras are also using face recognition technology (FRT) for surveillance, security, and authentication of identity. Several state and central government organizations have deployed or are planning to deploy these solutions, despite concerns that India doesn't have a specific law to regulate the use of these technologies. Rights activists have also raised concerns over the accuracy of these AI solutions, which can lead to false identification. 

According to digital rights advocacy firm Internet Freedom Foundation’s (IFF) Project Panoptic, 126 FRT systems have been installed across India.