New Red-Light Cameras Can Extend the Green Light

Traffic enforcement and intersection control technology are evolving rapidly. Among the most intriguing innovations are new red-light camera systems that do more than simply photograph violators — they can proactively extend a green light when needed to avoid imminent collisions. In effect, these systems combine enforcement with predictive intersection management to enhance safety while maintaining traffic flow.

How Do the New Red-Light Cameras Work?

Future AI Photo Enforcement Technology

The Future of Photo Enforcement Technology: Advancements Driving Accuracy, Efficiency, and Compliance

AI Cameras Being Used to Detect Phone Usage In Cars

The use of AI cameras to detect phone usage in cars is an emerging technology that aims to address the issue of distracted driving. These cameras are designed to monitor and analyze driver behavior, specifically focusing on detecting when drivers are using their mobile phones while operating a vehicle.

AI-based camera systems utilize computer vision and machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time video footage and identify signs of distracted driving, such as drivers holding and using their phones while driving. These systems can distinguish between different activities, like making a phone call, texting, or using social media, and can trigger alerts or notifications when a violation is detected.

The deployment and use of AI cameras for detecting phone usage in cars can vary depending on local laws and regulations. Some jurisdictions have implemented or are considering implementing these systems as a means of improving road safety and enforcing distracted driving laws. However, it's important to note that the implementation and acceptance of such technologies can differ between regions, and privacy concerns may also be a factor to consider.

As with any emerging technology, it is advisable to refer to local laws, regulations, and official sources in your jurisdiction to understand the current status and legality of using AI cameras to detect phone usage in cars. Additionally, monitoring developments in this field and staying informed about the latest advancements can provide a more accurate understanding of how this technology is being utilized.

Australia put up the first phone-detecting cameras in New South Wales over the weekend. The move is part of a broader plan to reduce roadway fatalities by 30 percent by 2021 — especially as new technologies continue to exacerbate the issue of distracted driving. “It’s a system to change the culture,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told Australian media las week.

There’s nothing incredibly new about the cameras themselves. But they’re networked to an artificial intelligence that determines whether or not someone behind the wheel is using their phone. Suspect images are then forwarded to authorized personnel to be verified as truly criminal.

New South Wales wants to put up 45 portable cameras over the next three years, moving them occasionally to keep people on their toes. For the first three months, starting now, offending drivers will only receive warning letters in the mail. The penalty then becomes a $344 AUD ($233 USD), which gets a bit higher in school zones, and some points on their license (again, more in a school zone). Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole said the program will progressively expand to perform an estimated 135 million vehicle checks on NSW roads each year by 2023.

Critics of the plan are worried that the cameras sacrifice privacy for negligible safety gains. There have also been fears that the courts could become overwhelmed by drivers disputing bogus claims if the system isn’t spot on with its detection.

While numerous outlets are calling this a world’s first, the Netherlands recently put a similar system in place to catch distracted drivers. China also has a system like this (a rather expansive one) and intends on connecting it to its social credit score program early next year.

“The NSW Government is serious about reducing our state’s road toll and rolling out mobile phone detection cameras is another way we will do this,” explained Minister for Roads Andrew Constance. “As we enter a notoriously dangerous time of the year on our roads I want all drivers to know that if you use your mobile phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle in NSW you will have a greater
chance of being caught, anywhere at anytime … Some people have not got the message about using their phones legally and safely. If they think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence they are in for a rude shock.”

Benefits of Undertaking Training in Microsoft Azure

Technology has been booming for a while now, and there are certainly no signs of it slowing down. For those who are looking for a career change to one that invests in the future of tech, or are looking to advance on the path they are already on, participating in training can be a significant turning point for many. Microsoft is a household name, pioneers in the technology world, and offers anyone training to improve their digital skills or learn a new one. 

Here are just some of the benefits of undertaking training in Microsoft Azure. 

What is Microsoft Azure?  

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that has been built by the leading tech experts, Microsoft. This cloud computing service is used for testing, creating, and managing applications through servers.  

It provides the three main cloud computing services, which include IaaS (Infrastructure as Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service). These services vary in terms of who they are predominantly used by and what trainings are available. For example, IaaS will most commonly be used by developers who are behind the scenes of applications and software, where are SaaS will be found on the family computer or in the workplace, with programs being used such as Google Sheets. 

Flexibility

Not only is Microsoft one of the most well-renowned names when it comes to both computing and cloud technology, but because of this, training with Microsoft gives impressive flexibility to where and how you can use it. Not only that, completing training in Microsoft Azure can open to door to different career choices, not pinning you down to one specific path.

Employability 

Whether you are fresh out of college or university looking for a career in computing, focusing on a specific route of computing such as Cloud, or simply wanting to put another skill notch on your belt, investing in Microsoft azure training can really give you an edge against other work colleagues or job applicants, not to mention that a certificate in Microsoft Azure can be relevant in any sector. 

Higher Salaries 

Many of us have experienced being stuck on a salary with not much potential of an increase, and one of the quickest ways to achieve a pay rise in a reasonable company is to offer more skill or become an expert at your work. Undertaking Microsoft Azure training could be the very thing to bump your salary up significantly, especially if you are able to undertake jobs that businesses usually have to outsource for. 

Structured Learning 

Microsoft Azure training is specifically designed to create a simple and effective strategy for learning complex systems. Those who have already undertaken training in systems such as Github, Eclipse, and Hadoop will find that they can easily adapt to the Azure platform with ease, which means that students will not feel like they are starting from scratch again.

Microsoft Azure also offers fantastic additional resources such as eBooks, tutorials, and other course materials.

A Brief Guide to Embedded App Development

What is Embedded App Development?

Embedded application software is the root of smart devices such as intelligent thermostats and smartphones. An embedded application is software that is permanently contained in a device to perform a particular set of tasks. Software development is a mixture of technology, architecture, and domain knowledge to create and maintain applications by specifying, documenting, conceiving, designing, programming, testing, and debugging. Therefore, embedded app development is the process of creating and maintaining software that is permanently contained in a device to perform a specific set of tasks through specifying, documenting, conceiving, designing, programming, testing, and debugging using an embedded computer. An embedded computer is a microprocessor-based system designed specifically to perform a specific task; it comes with hardware and software designed to withstand different conditions and achieve specific tasks.

Embedded Systems 101

An embedded system is just a computer system; it contains a computer processor, peripheral devices, and computer memory used to perform a specific task either individually or within a bigger electronic or mechanical system. An embedded system contains an integrated circuit for real-time computing operations. We use embedded system applications in our everyday lives; the embedded system applications vary according to their complexity and the task it is designed to do. Examples include smartwatches, intelligent microwaves, and thermostats.

Basic Structure of an Embedded System

· Sensor

The sensor does the work of measuring variables in the real world such as temperature, lich, pressure, et cetera.

· A-D Converter

 An analog-to-digital converter translates the analog signal from the sensor to a digital signal.

·Processor and ASICs

They process the data from the sensor to examine the output.

· D-A Converter

A digital-to-analog converter converts digital data from the processor to analog data.

·Actuator

The actuator performs a task for the system, such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a motor.  

Skills necessary for embedded app development

As an embedded app development engineer, you will need certain skills, such as knowing programming languages and technologies. Some of these include; C and C++, KiCAD, python to build automation and scripting, nerves for embedded Linux, and phoenix or elixir for low latency power sockets. Moreover, embedded app development relates closely with the Internet of Things; hence it is necessary to have IoT knowledge on techniques and platforms such as PlatformIO to carry out embedded C and C++ projects and AWS IoT for MQTT pub-sub used for large-scale deployment projects. Embedded app developers need to have technical hardware design expertise for embedded systems and should be able to work with PCB design subcontractors and manufacturers. If you are looking for an embedded app development position, expertise in firmware development is a necessity, and knowledge in network systems will be a bonus.    

Tools necessary for embedded application development

·Editor

A text editor is a necessary tool for an embedded app developer. The text editor allows you to write code in programming language for embedded system apps.

· Complier or Assembler

It would help if you had a compiler or an assembler to translate the code you have written into instructions called a hex code on which the microcontroller will operate. In simple terms, it translates the high-level to low-level programming language.

· Linkers

A linker is a program that combines the codes saved in various files into one final program for execution.

· Libraries

A library is a prior written program that already has some specific function, and you can use it instantly. You can control LEDs and read sensors.

· Debugger

The work of a debugger is to help you get rid of small mistakes and bugs.

· Simulator

A simulator is used to review and alter the code you have written using a simulation to test its functionality in a real-life situation.

The Future of Embedded App Development

The industry of embedded app development and the embedded systems, in general, is expected to grow rapidly in the next decade driven by the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and deep learning. The embedded app development industry's growth will lead to improved security, cloud connectivity, deep learning applications, mesh networking, reduced energy consumption, and visualizing tools containing real-time data. The global market for embedded systems was valued at 68.9 billion dollars in 2017 and is estimated to rise to 105.7 billion dollars by 2025.   

Ford Patents RoboCop "like" Police Cars

Ford Patents RoboCop "like" Police Cars

A recently published patent from Ford could be the first glimpse of the dystopian AI nightmare we’ve all feared. The patent describes a self-driving police car that can monitor for traffic violations, then chase down the perpetrators to deliver a ticket with the cold, unfeeling efficiency that can only be achieved with a machine.

The patent, which was originally filed in 2016, doesn’t completely replace the human officer. Ford envisions this system as working with or without a person behind the wheel. An officer could handle complicated police work with the AI as backup. Without a human partner, the self-driving car could still do basic traffic enforcement.

The car would have the ability to monitor traffic and identify vehicles breaking the law. It could then initiate pursuit of the car in question, which indicates Ford is expecting to have so-called Level 4 or better level of autonomy. That means the car can drive itself in varying conditions without a human in control. Level 5 autonomous driving would mean no human control at all. Currently, Waymo is the most visible developer of level 4 and 5 autonomy, but Ford and GM are both believed to be at a similar point in development.

This AI police vehicle would also support a law enforcement version of the “internet of things.” Ford’s patent shows how the car could plug into wireless sensors like red light cameras and speedometers to collect evidence that a car has indeed broken the law. Here’s where things start to get serious. If it’s a minor violation that doesn’t require chasing you down, the AI police vehicle could just send a citation wirelessly to your car as it drives past. Imagine that — a police car that just cruises down the highway autonomously and leaves a trail of speeding tickets in its wake.

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