Approximately 8 times faster processing speed for car license plate detection
TOKYO, Dec 1, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced the development of a "gradual deep
learning-based object detection technology" that enables efficient and high throughput object detection for video
analytics while maintaining detection accuracy.
This technology enables up to eight times the processing speed of object detection for large volumes of images, even on
edge devices with limited processing capacity.
NEC aims to commercialize this technology in fiscal 2022, following further research and development.
Video analytics are expected to be utilized for a wide range of applications, such as analyzing camera images of
vehicles at intersections, optimizing traffic control, and analyzing camera images of stores and warehouses to detect
intrusion or to optimize facility management.
To perform these video analytics in real time, it is ideal to process them on an edge device near a sensor, such as a
camera.
However, because cooling is difficult to manage and electricity consumption is restricted in edge devices,
high-performance processors such as GPUs used in high-performance servers are not available, and processing capacity is
constrained.
In video analytics, object detection software that utilizes deep learning (hereinafter "object detection AI model")
performs object detection processing in order to find the object to be analyzed from images captured by a camera
Since highly accurate object detection AI models have a large amount of operations though, it is difficult for edge
devices to process a large amount of images due to constraints on processing capacity. If the amount of operations for a
high-speed object detection AI model is reduced, for example, the accuracy declines and the recognition accuracy
requirements for image analysis cannot be met.
Application of NEC's newly developed gradual deep learning-based object detection technology enables efficient,
high-speed, and high-precision detection of subjects from a large amount of images, even in an edge device with limited
processing capacity, and enables simultaneous processing of images from multiple cameras in real time.Technology Features
1. High-speed, high-precision detection at the same time
This technology combines an object detection AI model that is high-speed, but is only roughly accurate, with another
object detection AI model that is highly accurate, but computationally complex. This combination enables efficient
processing of multiple images and results in high-speed, high-precision detection.
First, a high-speed object detection AI model detects multiple objects quickly, but with rough accuracy, then the
detected results are processed together with a high-precision object detection AI model to gradually refine the detected
objects.
As a result, in an example of detecting a car license plate from a camera image, processing speed was approximately
eight times faster than when using an object detection AI model with high accuracy alone, while maintaining detection
accuracy*.
2. Compatible with various detection targets, detection methods, and AI chips
This technology is compatible with a diverse range of object detection processes according to detection targets, such as
people, vehicles and car license plates, without being limited to specific detection targets and specific processing
methods.
In addition, the technology's application is not limited to a specific AI chip. By taking advantage of the fact that AI
chips have a large number of computing resources in common, the technology makes effective use of the internal computing
power of chips.
Going forward, NEC aims to enhance the safety, security, and convenience of society by expanding the use of video
analytics technologies to a wide variety of applications.
*Speed varies depending on the device used, the type of detection engine and the quality of image data.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the
brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes
taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and
efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more
information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.