CASE STUDY

INTRUDER DETECTION AT THE LONDON EYE:

Protecting The UKs Number One Paid-For Visitor Attraction
Client Merlin Entertainments Group Project Intruder detection at major London tourist attraction using bespoke scenario-based modelling and thermal imaging.

The artificial intelligence that characterises Ipsoteks scenario detection has been illustrated at the London Eye where simple motion detection had created an unacceptable false alarm rate.The key requirement was for a system to function amid changing water levels and shadows created by a revolving structure. Ipsoteks solution
The installer on the project was Universal Security who report that Ipsoteks analytical tools have excelled in distinguishing between the shadows thrown by the wheel and movement that might be a genuine threat.

The challenge Reliable intrusion detection is based on the ability of a system to discriminate between background activity and unusual events that require investigation by guards. Ipsoteks video analytics has the intelligence to learn about ambient movement that is an integral part of a location, so eliminating the false alarms often associated with more basic video analytics systems.

Project background

Thermal imaging using cameras/sensors from FLIR Commercial Vision Systems, allowed Ipsotek to offer a scenario-based solution which met the clients stringent service level agreements (SLAs), particularly governing detection accuracy.

After carrying out a survey, Ipsotek opted for thermal imaging cameras which could cope with the presence of water and the glass capsules in which visitors are accommodated.

The London Eye is the UKs number one paid-for visitor attraction and has become an iconic global landmark. Safety and security continues to be the biggest priority for this high-profile attraction.The client wanted to maximise security for visitors and staff. The London Eye stands on the south bank of the Thames near Westminster Bridge. During a 30-minute flight, up to 800 visitors at a time experience unrivalled views of the capital on a 135 metre high revolving observation wheel.

The project demands were extraordinary with four-metre tidal fluxes, and the complications of reflection and refraction from the river and a predominantly transparent structure.

IPSOTEK ltd, 27-37 St Georges Road,Wimbledon, London SW19 4EU www.ipsotek.com email: info@ipsotek.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8971 8300 fax: +44 (0) 20 8879 6031

CASE STUDY

Ipsotek developers created algorithms with bespoke detection using scenario-based modelling to deal with this unusual environment. Images are displayed on plasma screens in the London Eyes control room with a matrix supplied by the Synectics Systems Group and digital video recorders from Verint. three-month payback on initial investment The client has benefited from:

The benefits

The attraction has won 75 major awards for design, engineering, customer care and services to tourism.

The application went live in November 2007 and the site was soon the venue for a major London event on New Years Eve when 700,000 people headed to traditional firework locations including The London Eye, for displays organised by the Mayor of London.

Facilities and details

24/7 surveillance through the automated solution.

If you are underneath the wheel, the likelihood is that you are a customer or legitimate operative. But if anyone attempts to access the structure without authorisation, the client wants to be alerted
CHRIS GOMERSALL, CEO, IPSOTEK

The application shows the versatility of our software.

straightaway.

The London Eye is a technically difficult environment in which to operate an effective movement detection system. A revolving structure, located over a tidal constantly-changing heat signature, offers unique sensitive areas while being open for business

Construction of the London Eye was completed in 16 months.The 32 capsules on the wheel are aerodynamically shaped to reduce drag with each capsule weighing 10 tonnes and able to hold 25 people.

The London Eye opened in March 2000 and transported 3.2m passengers in its first year of operation, exceeding forecasts of 2.2 million. Ancillary facilities - all of them with good access for the disabled - are located opposite the structure in County Hall.

river with large amounts of reflective glass giving off a challenges .The requirement to be able to monitor compounded these issues. The thermal imaging

enable us to continuously monitor the site, regardless of the changing environmental conditions
ERIC DENCH, GROUP HEAD OF SECURITY, MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP

cameras supported by the Ipsotek analytics now

IPSOTEK ltd, 27-37 St Georges Road,Wimbledon, London SW19 4EU www.ipsotek.com email: info@ipsotek.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8971 8300 fax: +44 (0) 20 8879 6031