Red means stop, green means go: the camera records whether workers are wearing safety equipment and stops the machines in the factory if they are not. This innovative workplace surveillance system was developed by the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Pisa within the CrossLab laboratories at the Navacchio technology hub.
A network of video cameras monitors workers and instantly identifies the presence or absence of wearable safety equipment. “If mandatory equipment is missing, the system can immediately shut down the machines,” explains Carlo Vallati, Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Pisa. “It could be a helmet or a high-visibility jacket: if the system detects a worker who does not comply with safety requirements, it sends a visual or an audible alert, shuts down the machine or restricts access to a dangerous area.”
Consisting of a small video camera and a local data analysis device, the system can be positioned near dangerous machinery or in situations involving moving vehicles. Pietro Ducange, from Computer Engineering, adds: “In this case, the safety distance can also be configured, as well as the area to be monitored. Specific devices can also be selected for monitoring.”
On the screen connected to the camera, the worker’s silhouette is outlined in different colours depending on the situation: red if a breach of the company’s safety requirements is detected, green if the equipment is compliant.
“The CrossLabs in Navacchio are interdisciplinary laboratories based on two pillars,” explains Simone Genovesi, a professor in the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Pisa and the project coordinator. “The first pillar is Industry 4.0, i.e. enabling technologies that are already available. The second pillar is Industry 5.0, i.e. everything related to technology and personal services. We are open to companies that want to develop new-generation products or processes together.”
