Startup lets webcams detect people

While using "webcams" to keep watch is nothing new, the California-based start-up has eliminated the need to sift through hours or days of video for portions containing folks whose activities or lack thereof may be of interest.

Surveillance webcam software that detected motion routinely vexed users with emails or alerts triggered by any motion, be it a passing bird or swaying branch. Vitamin D is crafted to recognize people.

"Say goodbye to the dark ages of video analytics," Vitamin D said at its website. "Our approach to object recognition paves the way for powerful new applications in security, advertising, entertainment and video search."

Vitamin D said it uses artificial intelligence to help computers discern between objects such as clouds, planes, and people in a way similar to how the human brain processes visual information.

The company was founded in 2007 by former Palm employees.

Vitamin D Video 1.0 software was released on Monday, marking the end of a public test phase. A starter edition configured to work with one camera per computer is free.

A version supporting two cameras per computer is priced at 49 dollars (US) and a Pro Edition with no limit on the number of webcams has a 199-dollar price tag.

(c) 2010 AFP