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SSI Names 2019 Security Solutions Awards Winners at GSX

Video Surveillance: MIC IP fusion 9000i By Bosch Security and Safety Systems

A six-acre man-made gravel pad, the Oooguruk drillsite (ODS), is located several hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle in Harrison Bay in Alaska’s North Slope region. Conditions are extreme – temperatures can drop to minus 40° F, the sun sets for two months every year, and there are polar bears. To prevent unwanted encounters between humans and bears, an innovative security solution was required on ODS. The system needed to detect approaching animals as early as possible. Simultaneously, it must function reliably and efficiently in the Arctic’s tough environment. The ultimate goal is the protection of personnel and the polar bears in a way that has the least impact on the polar bears.

The challenge was solved using the MIC IP fusion 9000i camera. It combines a robust design with Intelligent Video Analytics and was developed specifically for use in extreme conditions. Eleven of the cameras have already been installed on ODS, with five more at the planning stage. The cameras feature a de-icing function and motor-powered silicone wipers. Bosch starlight technology enables clear images even in low light and the thermal imager delivers images in total darkness. With built-in Intelligent Video Analytics shared by both the optical and thermal imagers, the system can detect polar bears even when they are swimming or far off in the distance.

As soon as a polar bear appears in the vicinity of the island, the Bosch cameras’ tracking function is automatically triggered and personnel are notified. The necessary personnel safety measures can then be implemented quickly and efficiently. An alarm brings employees inside, and staff trained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the polar bear and use a gradually accelerating deterrence plan to cause the bear to go away without harming it. Installing the intelligent system means there is greater safety for both humans and animals. They no longer need to rely on someone watching the cameras to see the polar bears.

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