It is no secret that all decisions in a modern organisation are based on data. Despite its availability, it could prove difficult to construct a complete picture due to its sheer amount and frequency. Converting data into knowledge that can be put to use is difficult. Take modern surveillance, for instance. We open up a whole new set of use cases, including automated surveillance and traffic control, if we can extract high-level data from camera feeds. This is where multimedia analytics, such as video analytics, are crucial. It enables businesses to make smarter decisions, stay competitive in today’s market, and leverage the power of surveillance data to examine optimisation possibilities and pain points. This is especially important for city services, retail, cars, and work sites.
The innovation has been widely recognized by both govt. and non-govt. establishments, which has brought many innovative players under the spotlight. Graymatics is an exceptionally innovative and leader in cognitive multimedia analytics services. Launched in 2018, the company has carved a niche for their expertise in implementing AI to extract deep insights to create compelling solutions. For our entrancing edition, “Top 5 Innovative Companies to Watch in 2023,” we will understand how the company is innovating the surveillance space, and making societies safe and secure.
ON A MISSION TO REDEFINE SURVEILLANCE
Graymatics was founded by Abhijit Shanbhag (President & CEO), who saw a significant discrepancy in the volume of captured CCTV footage and unrealized potential for harnessing this data through analytics. Even though CCTV cameras were widely used at the time and mostly installed for deterrence purposes, the depth of analysis was constrained by the search options available on video hosting sites, which were primarily confined to captions. According to Abhijit, “It became clear that an enormous opportunity existed, the opportunity to develop a highly scalable and adaptable cognitive platform, capable of conducting near real-time analysis of large video volumes.”
With a distinct vision, he enlisted some of the finest domain specialists in AI from Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the University of Southern California to help him develop his concept. Graymatics was founded with funding from Citrix Systems and the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office as well as additional support from highly skilled software developers and business development executives. Their goal was to turn global video and rich media content, gadgets, and sensors into appealing solutions that promote a safer, more secure society, maximise productivity, and enable value-added services.
They started the Deep Learning Platform with the intention of analysing and converting media information, but soon found that their interests had expanded. As of right now, Graymatics has pioneered cutting-edge video content-aware tools by utilising cutting-edge AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and data analytics. Graymatics revolutionises the usage of installed CCTV systems by offering customised solutions to tackle critical business concerns unique to each vertical, with a focus on Smart Cities & Buildings, Smart Transportation, Retail, and Manufacturing. Their system can index, analyse, and classify films in real-time depending on user-defined criteria.
ATTUNED TO CHANGES AND INNOVATION
Technology has greatly impacted the surveillance industry, improved its capabilities, and brought about considerable changes on all sides of the table. It has improved how CCTV analytics systems are integrated with other corporate intelligence systems and CMS, and it has made it easier to use cutting-edge algorithms and data processing methods. Real-time video analytics are now in more demand as a result of the advances. The scalable cloud-based solutions have aided service providers in expanding their clientele, diversifying their product lines, and eventually improving operational effectiveness.
The competitive landscape is something that Graymatics is aware of as it affects business development. As a result, it aggressively adopts new technologies, such as deep learning techniques, edge computing for real-time processing, and investigating the potential of cutting-edge technologies like 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing. Having creative resources on board enables them to collaborate with other suppliers, industry leaders, and research institutions, fostering information sharing and facilitating access to new resources. They assist in recognising changing client expectations and needs and use a flexible, scalable architecture designed specifically for their needs. According to Abhijit, “We are able to handle growing data volumes, adapt to shifting technology configurations, and support modular expansion.”
These tactical strategies maintain Graymatics’ effectiveness, competitiveness, and industry relevance in an era of escalating privacy concerns, allowing it to adjust to shifting conditions and business trends. It ensures compliance with privacy regulations, employs strong data protection methods, and makes sure that data management and storage are transparent.
PROTOTYPING INNOVATIVE IDEAS
There is a proverb that goes, “Prototyping is the conversation that you have with your ideas.” Graymatics also takes note of this. It bases its innovation philosophies on the belief that innovation is what propels societal and scientific advances, paving the way for a better future. As a result, it establishes desired results and criteria for success while taking the prototype’s context and purpose into account. “Our team onboard evaluates goals and criteria through usability testing and user feedback, ensures progress and learning are documented, and ensures the prototyping process can be modified and adjusted,” adds Abhijit. As a knowledge facilitator, he is crucial to this. He links internal and external viewpoints while promoting insights, best practices, and innovative studies from various sectors and fields.
He creates a setting for the team to engage in ideation, problem-solving, and brainstorming, allowing them to draw from a large pool of expertise and varied viewpoints. This encourages the exploration of novel concepts and pushes traditional wisdom to yield fresh answers. Additionally, he aids in the dissemination of new ideas, research findings, and internal insights so that others can benefit from their knowledge. Simply put, his capacity to promote cooperation and share knowledge is essential to the development of novel solutions and the prototyping of ideas. This highlights Graymatics’ efforts to improve user interfaces, streamline deployment and management procedures, and provide capabilities that can be customised to address particular use cases.
A CULTURE OF COHESION & COLLABORATION
By this point, it has become clear that the heart of Graymatics is collaboration. It encourages adaptability among everyone on a multicultural team made up of individuals from different backgrounds. It values constructive criticism, welcomes fresh viewpoints, and promotes creative thinking. This encourages new viewpoints, shifting the focus from leadership to collaboration while emphasising teamwork and a common vision and set of principles. They give gender inclusion a top priority in recruitment and promotion processes in keeping with their commitment to diversity. The CEO continues, “In addition, we provide educational support to assist people in growing their skills within our domain.”
By fostering an open and welcoming workplace environment, Graymatics gives its workers the freedom to flourish, provide their individual viewpoints, and realise their full potential, building a stronger and more prosperous business. The top executives are aware of how happiness affects the output. They consequently work hard to ensure that the workplace is both comfortable and secure for everyone.
RECOGNIZED AND REVERED ACROSS THE INDUSTRY
Given the leading stature Graymatics has established, it is the Video AI partner for renowned companies like Dell Technologies, HPE, Intel, Nvidia, Huawei, Microsoft, Softbank, AWS, Airtel and AIS, and various System Integrators. Their application for AI analytics extends well beyond the conventional roles of CCTV, which gave them an opportunity to complete a pilot project for a government-based construction company in Singapore for their precast inspection project, with the goal of introducing automation into the inspection process and enhancing overall productivity.
Graymatics have solidified our position in the APAC region and beyond. “Our recent partnership agreement with BSNL further highlights our commitment to strategic collaborations,” says Abhijit. Reuters also wrote an article on Graymatics as one of the top companies in violence detection. They also won the Indian-ASEAN Tech Award for smart city, which underscores their efficiency acknowledged by esteemed figures such as Sushma Swaraj, India’s Minister of external affairs, and Vivian Balakrishnan Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Some of their other noteworthy achievements include:
As inspiring these awards are, Graymatics has ambitious plans ahead. It plans to establish a presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Brazil in South America. In terms of innovation, the company is working on audio analytics, which will complement our existing video analytics capabilities and be deployed as an embedded model. “By constantly innovating and expanding our offerings, we aim to drive meaningful transformation and empower organisations across the globe with state-of-the-art AI solutions,” concludes Abhijit.
A NOTE FROM THE CEO
“In the dynamic world, people are looking for a simplistic living. As long as the purpose and intention are clear, there is nothing stopping you.”
Graymatics, Inc. on Social Media
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram
Business Talk is a digital business magazine that caters to CEOs, Entrepreneurs, VC, and Corporates. While working with entrepreneurs and business executives, we focus not only on their achievements. Our mission is to shed light on business entities, including their innovations, technological benchmarks, USPs, and milestones/accolades.
When we talk about healthcare, we are navigating a vast and ever-expanding ocean of knowledge,…
At HiPaaS, our 'Make AI Real' initiative supports healthcare companies in implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI)…
The realm of healthcare is changing. Technology and automation are penetrating every healthcare vertical to…
As the cashless revolution picks up steam, financial companies are not hesitating to try to reinvent…
It is a stark reality that, despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the…
Being one step ahead of the game is becoming more than a mere plus in…