Modern airports are known for their extensive camera surveillance, rivalling gambling casinos in their quest for complete security coverage.
In the digital era, cameras and surveillance are both increasing, including at airports—Air Canada this year deployed facial recognition at YVR, for example.
“Many of our customers already utilize digital credentials to simplify their daily activities,” explained Craig Landry, chief operations officer for Air Canada, in February. “We are very excited to … test digital identification using facial recognition technology to validate customer identification quickly, securely, and accurately at select airport touch-points.”
But cameras can do more than just recognize humans. And after shelving an expansion plan, YVR is focused on maximizing the potential of its existing facilities.
The airport thus hosted a “Smart Airport Hackathon,” from which a project built by BCIT students promises a cleaner airport via AI-powered tech.
The “Keep It Clean” project, which won the hackathon, entails mounting an advanced camera system on the ceiling of the airport. Using AI, the system could detect messes such as spills, maintenance issues like dead lightbulbs, and even potential medical emergencies.
The overhead camera, which the creators dubbed the “Crow’s Nest,” would be fixed to the top of an airport ceiling. Matthew Puyat, a BCIT student, informed Richmond News that the AI is trained to “detect problem areas” using AI, then alert staff as appropriate.
Other teams from Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia also participated in the hackathon, proposing diverse ideas ranging from energy efficiency enhancements to a Jetsons-inspired greeting robot.
The hackathon marked a milestone of innovation at YVR, awarding $10,000 in prizes to winning teams.
Other recent innovations involving YVR including a digital twin project with Unity. A strategic collaboration between YVR and Unity will see digital twin technology capture and present data which “has never been available before.”
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