10 Technology Trends to Expect in 2021 (Part 1)

What has impacted our daily lives more than the COVID-19 virus? Not only has the disease killed more than 1.66 million people worldwide, it has also changed the way people live, work, and do business. In the midst of this pandemic, end-user organizations are turning to new technologies or new uses of existing technologies to meet new demands and needs. In this article, a&s magazine looks at two things:

• The top technology trends of 2021 that Covid has shaped.
• How these trends will become part of our new normal.

1.  Cloud Systems – Vsaas+ Access Control as a Service

Cloud systems were already a hot topic before the pandemic, but the technology has only seen a surge in adoption during our new normal, as we continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines and remote work practices. This is where cloud systems can be useful; since cloud spaces host video surveillance or access control services, there is no need to visit the user’s premises in person to maintain and update them, and operations such as registering and revoking access rights can be done remotely instead of physically being done on-site. Additionally, as end-user organizations have been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 outbreak, a cloud subscription model rather than upfront costs could be more appealing to end-users in the post-COVID era.

2. Thermal imaging

Thermal cameras have long been used for defense and industrial purposes, such as nighttime surveillance in dark, unlit areas, and checking for overheating machinery in factories. But now, and likely in the post-COVID era, thermal imaging is being used extensively to monitor and check for elevated skin temperatures, a symptom of the disease, not just at airports but also in train stations, retail stores, restaurants, government offices, corporations, and other end-user institutions. This has led many camera manufacturers to offer thermal solutions that, when combined with a radiation detector, can achieve even greater accuracy.

3. Contactless biometrics

One of the top technologies right now and what is set to become a major technology trend in 2021 is contactless biometrics. While fingerprint recognition systems are still the dominant biometric technology, the COVID-19 virus has led people to look for touchless options; touch has been suggested as a means of spreading the coronavirus. Therefore, contactless without a system becomes an ideal option. For example, facial recognition systems have become quite advanced and accurate. Some systems allow the camera to identify multiple people in a scene; this allows for faster access while still utilizing the user’s existing video surveillance system. Beyond facial recognition systems, palm vein recognition technology is also on the rise; This technology allows the user to enter a building with a wave of the hand.

4. Video analytics with machine learning/artificial intelligence

In video surveillance, analytics, increasingly powered by machine learning and AI, are nothing new, but the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to new applications to meet user needs. One is mask-wearing; where someone is not wearing a mask or is only partially wearing one, it will be detected and the operator will be notified. Another application of this technology is to ensure social distancing, which is currently being implemented in various retail stores, public spaces and other facilities around the world; analytics will detect if two people are too close together and sound an alarm accordingly. This technology is not only able to maintain social distancing between people, but also reduces the manual labor required to enforce these instructions. These new uses of video analytics are expected to remain relevant in the new normal of our daily lives next year.

5. Alexa, what should I do during home quarantine?

It goes without saying, but more and more people are spending more time in their homes, and with less money to spend on travel, meals, and other activities outside the home, the next logical place to spend their money is inside. So expect this to accelerate demand for DIY home security products and solutions, including: smart Wi-Fi cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks. But this trend will also extend to other smart home devices; sensors and wearables that monitor our loved ones and more vulnerable people, as well as sensors that help us save energy, water, and electricity while staying home longer. Of course, the vendors who take advantage of these opportunities will win. What we’ve seen is that people are investing more resources in their homes and their security. In the area of ​​security and protection, people are increasingly looking for quick and easy DIY solutions. In addition, we are seeing more and more online shopping.

Source: a&s magazine