Kapsch TrafficCom has announced it has released a major update to its Automatic Number Plate Recognition software meaning “top performance” can be achieved in the automatic recognition of number plates, depending on the application.
The latest release features a reworked architecture that includes various deep learning elements, which the company says results in a significant performance boost. With the new ANPR software, an artificial intelligence software was trained to accurately and reliably identify number plates with hundreds of thousands of images in a GDPR-compliant manner.
“The higher the level of automation, the more efficient the system can be, as this reduces the need for costly manual checking,” explained Julia Azfar, mobility expert at Kapsch TrafficCom. “Especially in projects with long durations and with high requirements, it can be worthwhile to benefit from the rapid technical development through regular updates. That’s why we work closely with partner companies and suppliers to combine the latest technologies on the market with our own expertise in image processing and in artificial intelligence. That way we can guarantee premium quality, innovation and state-of-the-art services for our clients.”
In order to be able to identify images, the software has to be trained with information about the image content in addition to just the plain images, for example whether there is an Austrian or Italian license plate on a photo. This information is called annotation, and it is essential for the correct processing of the images by the system. If the software is fed with enough annotated images, it can subsequently process non-annotated images on its own.
This annotation of images was carried out by Kapsch TrafficCom as part of a pilot project in Vienna that introduces people who are disadvantaged in the job market to new occupational fields. The annotation and validation of data is a new field of work that will grow strongly in the coming years due to the increasing use of AI. Through the Responsible Annotation project, people at risk of exclusion are given a realistic pathway into the primary labour market.
(Picture – Kapsch)
