Safety, security and communications solutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The Remote Portal is the hub to connect with security and safety products in the field. It makes life easier by providing device management, value-added services and application management currently for video, intrusion and fire detection devices..

For example, when a Bosch camera is commissioned to the Remote Portal, it can be configured and calibrated remotely, firmware updates can be made and the camera health is continuously monitored and reported. In addition, smartphone apps for live streaming can be used without requiring any further configuration.

One concrete product that is built upon the remote portal capabilities is Remote Service to fire panels.
System integrators can get detailed maintenance data for each of the fire panels and all connected sensors remotely. This way, the service technician can even see the dust level of a single smoke detector on his computer.

The standard solution for access control is already providing contactless door entry: Access card readers. It gets problematic, if you still have to touch the door handle or a keypad to enter a PIN. Also fingerprint sensors, a popular biometric device show the same disadvantage: Any part that is touched by many people, even if very small, might serve as a bridge for the virus to infect more people. So customers are actively looking for other alternatives like face recognition, mobile phone readers and new contactless biometric solutions like hand scanners. In high security areas, dual authorizations are required, usually a biometric scan next to the standard access card.

Bosch Video Analytics algorithms offer features like “person in field”, “birds eye view counting” and “crowd detection”. These functions are used at entrances of supermarkets to count people that enter to alert an operator if people enter restricted areas. It can measure the occupancy of people in certain areas, for example in front of an ATM machine. The detection is still influenced by certain challenges like shadows of objects, identifying shopping carts as two people or objects that are moving too quickly.

In-Store Analytics is a solution that processes anonymous position data from various cameras in the cloud. Advanced algorithms filter the position data according to individual location environments and relevant behavior patterns.

The data can be used to ensure customer safety and confidence whilst shopping in their store. For instance, crowded store areas are visualized on a heat map. This can be used for a targeted physical distancing signage, disinfection measures or a redesign of the store layout for better crowd distribution.

The need for people to meet and discuss important topics does not disappear during a pandemic – in fact, it becomes even more critical. However, new considerations such as physical distancing add a unique challenge to many situations. Bosch has a broad product portfolio to support a wide variety of meeting types. From small to larger and more challenging applications, users can choose the future-proof and fully IP-based DICENTIS Conference System, or opt for the Wi-Fi-based DICENTIS Wireless Conference System when the quickest set-up and breakdown time is required. For meetings involving remote participants, the DICENTIS Wireless conference system provides the perfect solution. It increases participant interaction, optimizes meeting efficiency, and provides the required flexibility in system set-up and the integration of third-party systems.

Large venues like convention centers, hotels or even parts of the Central Park in New York have been transformed into emergency hospitals. The so-called „pop-up hospitals“ now quickly need equipment for nurse-alarm, patient surveillance, asset tracking and hands-free patient and nurse intercom. The opportunity for Bosch is to help with a variety of solutions: Intrusion panels for alarming, video cameras for patient monitoring, intercom and public address solutions for helping nurses and doctors to communicate.

“We are trying to be more proactive than reactive. That‘s why we are working on a brochure that describes each of the applications that we have in mind. We also list the bill of material needed for a 1000 bed pop-up hospital so our regional sales people can quickly put a solution together.” — Robert Drob, Business Development North America

Bosch-owned brand RTS delivers intercom solutions to many TV and radio stations producing news broadcasts, which the public relies on in these times. The usual working context of media broadcast professionals is the studio and production control room where space is limited, hence physical distancing and keeping a 1,5-2m distance to others is not always feasible - as seen in this photo. RTS already provides a virtual intercom solution in the form of a software application running on smartphones, tablets or computers, called “VLink“. It enables production staff anywhere in the world to communicate with each other remotely using the broadcast intercom system but without the need for dedicated equipment.

Over the past decade, security cameras have evolved from mere image capturing devices into complex data sensors. They provide valuable data that can be analyzed and used in beneficial ways that are becoming the norm. Recent developments, like COVID-19, have shown that data is becoming even more important. Customers ask for actionable insights that enable them to take the right measures to safeguard people’s health. Since 2016, Bosch consistently pursues a data-driven approach by offering video analytics, a form of artificial intelligence, as built-in standard. This strategy and software competence together with our ability to build high quality hardware platforms has helped us to swiftly develop a smart solution that detects elevated skin temperatures: a Human Skin Temperature Detection solution.

Al fresco dining has become a popular solution for cafes and restaurants looking to remain open year-round in a COVID-safe way. By converting summer terraces or patios into covered or partly covered outdoor dining areas, customers can be comfortably accommodated while proper social distancing measures are maintained.

In the current situation, retail businesses need to keep visitors and staff safe by following COVID-19 operational guidelines and considerations, while also delivering a premium shopping experience. Shop owners can now achieve this by communicating important audio messages and in-store promotions not only to customers in the store shopping, but also to people queuing outside waiting to enter.

This can be supported by crowd monitoring with camera based video analytics, focusing on bottlenecks and queue locations. First applications exist where video based crowd detection triggers automatically a pre-recorded announcement on the public address system. A leading U.S. retail chain upgraded their public address system with high performance outdoor speakers and amplifiers from Bosch. This way, they can inform visitors outdoors about their current store policies in order to improve safety and customer satisfaction. This automated solution enables employees to focus more time on day to day tasks and gives customers a positive feeling of reassurance.

How can Bosch audio solutions help retailers to provoke a buyer's interest?

• Informing customers about product promotions while they wait to enter the store.
• Providing ambient music to trigger the senses of customers
• Informing customers about COVID-19 regulations and other important information.

As the world moves towards the new normal, customers and staff need to feel safe with the number of people in shared spaces. Managing customer flow with staff has always been expensive, not to mention the extra workload. Stand-alone People Count solutions are an effective and efficient way to help navigate and manage crowds:

Bosch and Philips Professional Display Solutions have brought their strength together. By combining the power of Philips Android displays and Bosch intelligent cameras, we bring you timely, tested, social distancing solutions, designed to inform people and to manage crowds effectively and efficiently.

Bosch Video Systems are also integrated with G2K, allowing the possibility to control data from more than one camera and entrance and exit points, counting the traffic flow in both directions. This automatic procedure keeps the safe amount of people inside buildings, venues or stores.