i-PRO, a prominent global provider of advanced sensing technologies in the imaging field, has joined the NICE Alliance, a network dedicated to fostering collaboration in the intelligent camera ecosystem. The NICE Alliance recently announced i-PRO as its newest adopter and contributor, acknowledging the company’s expertise and innovation in the field of imaging.
Following its independence from Panasonic in 2019, i-PRO has built a strong reputation as a leading professional in cutting-edge imaging, intelligence, and integration. With over 60 years of technological innovation and a focus on quality, i-PRO has become a key player in advanced sensing technologies, particularly in the areas of Intelligent Surveillance, Public Safety, and Medical Imaging.
By becoming a part of the NICE Alliance, i-PRO aims to accelerate the implementation of innovative AI edge devices and promote enhanced “visualization” of previously elusive information. The company seeks to leverage its robust edge devices and expertise in image analysis technology and AI to establish a secure foundation across various industries, including Manufacturing, Banking, Healthcare, Retail, Service Industry, and Public Institutions. Through the adoption of the open NICE standard, i-PRO intends to bring new value to a wide range of industries and contribute to the advancement of society.
Hideo Noguchi, Chief Technology Officer of i-PRO, expressed optimism about the alliance, stating, “Currently, image analysis services face challenges regarding accuracy and cost, which hinders their widespread adoption. We believe that i-PRO’s edge AI technology can address these issues. Through the open NICE Alliance, i-PRO aims to establish an ecosystem for AI image analysis swiftly, facilitating the expansion of the edge AI market and fostering image utilization on a broader scale.”
ZUKEN ELMIC, an existing contributor to the NICE Alliance, has been actively involved in technical research since the development of the NICE standard. With its wealth of knowledge and experience in areas such as IoT, smart cameras, and ONVIF, ZUKEN ELMIC has provided engineering services to companies interested in adopting the NICE standard. As i-PRO adopts the NICE standard, ZUKEN ELMIC will provide support to ensure the smooth and accurate implementation of i-PRO’s edge AI technology within the NICE ecosystem.
Joe Asakura, President of ZUKEN ELMIC, Inc., expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are pleased to partner with i-PRO in implementing the NICE standard. Having a partner familiar with the standards and possessing extensive implementation experience is crucial for timely product delivery to the market. We believe that ZUKEN ELMIC’s engineering services will facilitate the rapid and accurate implementation of i-PRO’s edge AI technology within the NICE ecosystem.”
To showcase their advanced technologies, i-PRO plans to conduct demonstration experiments of 5G/AI-based applications at docomo R&D OPEN LAB ODAIBA. This collaborative base, which opened on June 8th, serves as a platform for companies engaged in manufacturing and service development to explore possibilities in the latest communication environment. By deploying i-PRO’s NICE cameras and utilizing NICE services, the company aims to address industry challenges across various sectors and collaborate with other companies at the facility.
The NICE Alliance remains committed to the ongoing development and enhancement of its ecosystem. The alliance welcomes companies and interest groups to participate as NICE members, fostering innovation and collaboration in the adoption of advanced sensing technologies across different industries. Through this open approach, the NICE Alliance aims to drive progress and contribute to the creation of a smarter and safer world.
