CCTV cameras given sound sensing technology

Big Brother is watching and listening to you

25 June 2008 11:22 GMT / By Katie Scott

Scientists are working on articificial intelligence software that will allow CCTV cameras to "hear" sounds like windows smashing.

A team at the University of Portsmouth is working on software that could see cameras reacting to certain noises.

They hope that the technology will mean that CCTV cameras will capture crimes faster.

Dr David Brown, from the University of Portsmouth, explained to the BBC: "The visual-recognition software will be able to identify visual patterns but for the next stage we want to get the camera to pivot if it hears a certain type of sound".

"So, if in a car park someone smashes a window, the camera would turn to look at them and the camera operator would be alerted."

He added: "Later versions will get cleverer as time goes on, perhaps eventually being able to identify specific words being said or violent sounds".

Full tags

Gadgets, Digital cameras, Camcorders, CCTV