Computer vision improves the safety of industrial workers 

The AI identifies workplace risks to help reduce costly accidents and injuries

Spotted: Over 2.6 million non-fatal illnesses and injuries were recorded in 2021 across the United States, including wounds, dislocations, sprains, strains, and concussions. Such injuries make teams less efficient as workers recover – and the higher the levels of inefficiency in a business, the greater the general operational costs.   

One of the smarter solutions to improving workplace safety is proving to be artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Voxel AI is one of the companies leading the way in transforming existing security cameras into smart risk management networks for businesses in warehousing, retail, oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing. Computer vision technology integrated into a location’s security camera set-up evaluates the entire space and identifies potential hazards, operational inefficiencies, and behaviours that threaten the health and safety of the workforce.  

The AI allows businesses to work proactively by removing dangers such as blocked exits and redesigning pathways after regular near-miss vehicle collisions – before an accident happens. This is unlike many current industrial safety programmes, which are reactive and focus on fixing things after someone gets hurt or machinery is broken. Voxel’s partners report up to an 80 per cent reduction in workplace injuries.  

The company’s ethics policy prohibits the use of facial recognition technology or other identification of individuals through the computer vision system, which allows businesses to improve the ergonomics of physical work for everyone without apportioning blame. Training is most effective when it is focused on situational needs, and site managers that use Voxel AI’s analysis can understand in real-time what is most pressing for worker health improvements.  

Voxel’s recent $12 million (around €11.3 million) strategic funding round will help the company continue refining its technology and expanding its network of client partners. 

Computer vision is an exciting area of development, with innovations spotted in the Springwise’ archive being used for everything from reducing crop losses to translating sign language into speech and vice versa for more inclusive online meetings.

Written By: Keely Khoury