Drones have been in the news as of late for many reasons. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) seem to be the next big thing when it comes to delivery, whether it be packages to your doorstep, emergency supplies to remote areas, or simply bottles to a table. However, their commercial use has caused quite a stir.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and privacy issues seem to be the major roadblocks for commercial drone use. However, Disney recently made a surprising move by applying for three patents, which would utilize drones for their entertainment shows. The applications are as follows: Aerial Display System with Floating Pixels, Aerial Display System with Floating Projection Screens, and Aerial Display System with Marionettes Articulated and Supported by Airborne Devices.
What exactly do these patent applications mean? And what role will the drones play in all of this? For now we are left wondering, but we can make likely predictions of what to expect.
According to Disney, “floating pixels” combine picture and element. These, in conjunction with drones carrying projection screen equipment could potentially create a beautiful 3D show conducted in the sky. The special effects that the drones could possibly execute are vast. Drones could act as a marionette for large scale character shows, produce animated 3D images, and more.
Aside from enhancing shows, drones are excellent eyes in the sky. When incidents occur or a child goes missing, drones can provide aerial views for better insight to the situation. Access to this may increase security and decrease problems.
While monitoring from above, drones could possibly capture candid moments between family and friends. These will add to the memories created by photos with characters or semi-candid shots from different rides. People may fancy this idea, but others may argue an invasion of privacy. Moving forward with this idea would warrant much discussion and debate to please the masses.
Drones can also help with parking. Having to pay high rates for parking alone can stress drivers out, let alone navigating through the numerous parking areas trying to find a decent spot. With the aerial view of drones, empty spaces can be spotted and filled more efficiently, cutting down on parking time and possibly reducing stress.
Drones can also play music for guests or better Wi-Fi connection by toting routers. By supplying these amenities, guests may enjoy their overall park experience more. The possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to the use of drones and our advancing technology.
Can you find any flaws or issues that may arise if these applications and FAA regulations permit the use of drones? Do you think Disney’s implementation of drones will prove successful? Share your thoughts with us on our social networks – Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.
Facial recognition has come a long way. What once was portrayed as fictional, futuristic technology seen in television and movies has come to life and has been helpful in identifying suspects and solving crimes. As technology continues to advance, the application of facial recognition and related technology broadens. But did you ever imagine that facial recognition could help to make the roads safer? GM seems to be in the works of implementing facial recognition cameras into their cars.
You might wonder how a car could benefit from facial recognition technology. The answer is quite simple. A camera with facial recognition could watch your movements and distinguish dangerous behaviors. For example, maybe you’re falling asleep or texting while driving. The camera would detect this and alert you. These cameras could potentially help to decrease accidents and increase road safety.
It seems GM is attempting to bring this technology to their cars. They have declined to comment, however, there’s speculation that a collaboration with Seeing Machines, a company specializing in intelligent sensing technology, will hit the market in the future. It’s still unclear which cars will come equipped with these devices nor has a release date been set.
While GM may be the first to actually implement it, a few other companies have flirted with the idea. Ford presented Project Mobii, which is more focused on tailoring driver-car interaction based on eye and hand movements. Volvo’s Driver State Estimation system uses infrared to identify and track the eye movements of drivers. Both systems would aim to enhance the driver experience while providing a safe way to navigate your car’s features.
Sounds ideal right? While the intentions are good, privacy and security concerns arise. Most newer cars “are connected to the cloud through built-in or tethered cellular phone-based telematics.” Many are weary of the Cloud and previous issues with car tapping have occurred.
Despite potential security flaws, what are your thoughts on implementing these features in our cars? While it was only time that these technologies were pushed to the forefront, do you believe these will be advantageous or pose more of a distraction? We would love to hear from you – connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Pinterest.
SecurityCamExpert.com offers a great selection of security cameras, CCTV system packages, NVRs, DVRs and more. Choose us for your security camera system needs. Visit us online or give us a call at 1-888-203-6294. We are happy to help you find the perfect system for you.
The recent controversy surrounding police officers in Ferguson, MO, is hard to ignore. The fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown made headlines. There are different sides to the story. Witness accounts claim Brown was trying to surrender, arms in the air when he was fatally shot. Police state that as the officer was trying to exit the vehicle, Brown pushed in back in and there was a struggle over the officer’s weapon. Tension between officers and the black community has only worsened since this incident.
The obvious clashing of viewpoints has caused quite an uproar. With protests spanning from violent to peaceful, the media coverage has provided an opportunity to make each sides’ voice heard.
Because it is unclear what exactly happened that night, the push for officers to wear body worn cameras when in uniform has been strong. Many feel that this may decrease incidences of excessive force as well as attacks on officers. As previously discussed in our blog, body worn cameras for police officers have been tested in pilot programs, however, reports of effectiveness have varied.
Here in California, City of Hawthorne Mayor Chris Brown is pushing for the use of these cameras. In a letter released on August 15, 2014, the mayor wrote, “I am simply not willing to gamble with a single life, or the wrongful accusation of upstanding officers.” While these body worn cameras can possibly produce helpful evidence while deterring misbehavior from officers and the public alike, the costs run fairly high. Each camera can run up to $800-$1000 per officer. This expense is a large part of why most police departments have refrained from adopting the program.
As with use of any type of security camera, privacy concerns arise. A possible solution to this would leave it up to the officer’s discretion to turn the cameras on and off. However, human error can cause suspicions. Missing footage because an officer forgot to turn on the camera could spark much controversy depending on the case. Also, taking time to turn the cameras on and off can distract officers and compromise safety for both themselves and the public.
With recent events and what we know about body worn cameras, do you think employing them on our officers would help decrease violence and crimes? Or do you think these cameras be a waste of funds? We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. You can connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.
Choose SecurityCamExpert.com for your security cameras and surveillance needs. Shop online or give us a call at 1-888-203-6294 and we will happily assist you.
The newest editions of wearable cameras are targeted toward the social media enthusiasts, eager to share their day with the world. These cameras are often small and imperceptible, secretly snapping photos and documenting one’s life. The future of these devices is promising in the social realm, but these cameras could potentially make a positive impact in the medical field as well.
Wearable cameras provide somewhat of a visual diary, what they are now calling “life-logging.” For the social media butterflies, these cameras make it easier to share their lives with their friends and followers. These devices essentially allow a peek into the life of the person donning the camera.
The originators of this technology had something different in mind. These devices were created as a goal to help patients suffering from amnesia or dementia recall important events and aid in memory and recall abilities.
By documenting your entire day, you permit a review of your daily activities. For those with memory issues, whether a type of amnesia or dementia, reviewing these images and videos can help exercise the brain and trigger memory recall.
A previous case study evaluated what was called a SenseCam, and showed that memory could be improved. Reviewing images from the SenseCam regularly helped overall recall. The study showed that the individual “could recall more than 80% of key facts about significant events after a fortnight of reviewing SenseCam images every couple of days and that a similar level of recall persisted for months after she stopped looking at the pictures.” Using these images as cues helped to trigger certain parts of the brain associated with memories. Exercising these parts seemed to have strengthened memory recollection.
While this case study portrays a promising future for these wearable cameras, privacy still remains as a major issue. Especially in healthcare, patient privacy and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violations may cause controversy.
Do you think these devices impose on other people’s right to privacy, or do you believe they can be plausible devices for health and social media use? Let us know what you think. Connect with us on social networks – Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.
For your security camera systems needs, choose SecurityCamExpert.com. Shop our stock of security cameras, parts and accessories online. To order over the phone, give us a call at 1-888-203-6294.
Surveillance cameras can help us gain insight into world’s we could never imagine. With advanced technology, we can pre-program cameras to perform without human instruction. Take the REMUS SharkCam, which was built to follow and film tagged animals, in this case, great white sharks. A year after it was employed, the SharkCam produced interesting footage. In honor of #SharkWeek, we will discuss how this amazing camera works and the astonishing footage it captured over a year.
REMUS stands for Remote Environmental Monitoring UnitS, and the SharkCam used in this experiment utilized six GoPro cameras. These six cameras were situated with one rear facing, one forward facing, one to the left, one to the right, one forward facing up and one forward facing down. An underwater LED allowed for enhanced recordings around the clock. The REMUS SharkCam was able to catch footage and survive numerous attacks.
The REMUS SharkCam documented the behavior of sharks in their natural element. Much like they attack seals, the sharks lurked low beneath the SharkCam before swimming up to bite the tail end or midsection. Apparently sharks are known to bite metal, and they have electrosensory organs (ampullae of Lorenzini) which help them hunt. It’s likely that the REMUS SharkCam was emitting strong signals which spurred the sharks to attack.
Aside from attacks, territorial behavior and prey and predator interaction was also recorded. With an up close look from the REMUS, we can gain a better understanding of sharks and other underwater animals and plants. With an improved perspective from misunderstood animals, we can hopefully devise ways to minimize attacks and increase safety for both humans and sharks.
For more information on shark week and the shark week TV schedule, visit the Discovery Channel. For security camera systems and services, visit us online at SecurityCamExpert.com or give us a call at 1-888-203-6294.
With the heartbreakingly common news of schools on lockdown for various safety issues, it’s no surprise that school security is a major concern. Despite attempts to up security measures, these unfortunate events continue. Some occurrences have been stopped before further escalation, proving that our efforts are not in vain. However, this still does little to ease the minds of parents and students alike. With many schools installing more security cameras, having more security presence and implementing stricter visitor policies, there are still incidences when someone slips through the cracks.
Some solutions to these vulnerabilities are window films and screens. While these are not necessarily new products, they have been improved over time and can be helpful. These films and screens work to slow down the efforts to break into the school, possibly buying precious seconds of time to react and possibly save lives.
Window films are placed directly on the window, acting as a reinforcement of sorts, making it harder to break the glass. The new and improved version is tear-resistant with added layers for a stronger hold. It also helps to hold broken glass, preventing shattered glass from flying and possibly injuring others.
Slightly more expensive, yet a bit more effective are security screens. Security screens boast a sturdier barrier for intruders. While neither films nor screens can stop bullets, they do make it nearly impossible to create a larger opening. Another benefit of security screens is that they are more obvious, and can act as a deterrent. If painted black, the screens can provide a tint, almost like a two way mirror. Outsiders can’t see in, but students and staff can view the outside.
These window films and security screens offer additional security from attackers. While they seem like a harmless and helpful security measure, some parents argue that they give the schools a prison look and feel. What do you think about these protective measures? Share your thoughts with us on our social networks – Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Pinterest.
SecurityCamExpert.com values your security and satisfaction. We offer high quality products to help you secure your home, property or business. Browse our stock online or give us a call at 1-888-203-6294 to place your order.
Unmanned aerial systems, more commonly referred to as drones, have been a buzz lately. Drones act as aerial surveillance cameras and are typically associated with military use. Lately, the use of drones for other endeavors is on the rise. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, drones were used as a security measure, but were also employed to capture a different view of events. The use of drones in sports is of interest and can be beneficial during practices and games. For example, UCLA is currently implementing the use of drones during football practice.
In sports like football, being able to see your players from overhead allows coaches a new view on their game plan. An aerial view allows coaches to correct spacing and placement, providing improved player and team performance. During actual sports games, having video footage from drones versus cable cameras can heighten the experience for fans and spectators. Since drones provide better maneuverability, their video footage can supply new viewing angles and may help determine whether or not a referee’s call was bad or justified.
While teams and coaches see the benefits of using drones, there are concerns about safety, privacy and ethical use. Safety issues include how high, low or far the drones can travel, as well as possible malfunctions that may occur. There is also a level of vulnerability to those in surrounding areas where the drone is being used. Also, sports teams may worry about other teams spying on practices. Recently, a drone was spotted flying above France’s training camp in Brazil for the World Cup 2014, raising concerns about spying. The issue is under investigation. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration oversees the use of unmanned aircraft systems, however, specific rules and regulations are still in the works.
Cable camera systems are currently in use for football games, but are obviously limited in comparison to the drone’s versatility. These cable camera systems are also not ideal for all sports. For instance, using these cameras for golf tournaments is simply not practical. In regards to costs, drones can be much more affordable than cable camera systems. Once regulations and safety issues for drones are resolved, future use of drones in sports seems promising.
To our sports fanatics or security camera enthusiasts, what are your thoughts? Are you for or against their use in sports? Let us know what you think – tweet us @SecurityCamXprt, post on our Facebook wall, or share with us on Google+. You can even connect with us on Pinterest.
You can find our grand selection of security cameras, CCTV system packages, home alarm systems, and more online at SecurityCamExpert.com. If you’d like to speak with us directly, give us a call at 1-888-203-6294.