FLIR unveils TrafiBot Dual AI for Interurban Traffic Safety
FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, has just introduced the TrafiBot Dual AI, a cutting-edge multispectral camera system designed to enhance interurban traffic flow and road safety.
This innovative traffic camera system combines advanced artificial intelligence, early fire detection, and robust traffic management capabilities to address the most pressing safety challenges on tunnels and bridges, where incidents often occur without warning.
Revolutionising Traffic Monitoring and Incident Detection
The TrafiBot Dual AI isn’t just any traffic camera; it’s a leap forward in traffic intelligence. Designed to operate in complex environments like road tunnels and bridges, the camera system is equipped with FLIR’s proprietary on-camera AI and its patented 3D World Tracker technology. This multispectral camera system can detect incidents faster and more reliably than ever before, thanks to its powerful thermal core and advanced 14-bit early fire detection capabilities.
Stefaan Pinck, Vice President of Business Development at FLIR, highlighted the importance of this technology: “Intelligent traffic management systems have made great strides during the past decade, and today traffic management teams require more immediate, accurate traffic data to alert first responders, save lives, and get vehicles moving again. TrafiBot Dual AI provides that capability through a combination of proprietary AI models, 3D world tracker, and its early fire detection capabilities.”
The TrafiBot Dual AI utilises three proprietary AI models developed and trained on millions of FLIR-captured images from around the world. These models work simultaneously to identify and classify fallen objects, unusual items such as e-scooters, and vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.
This comprehensive approach ensures that no incident goes unnoticed, providing critical real-time data that helps traffic managers respond effectively to emergencies.
Advanced Detection with 3D World Tracker
One of the standout features of the TrafiBot Dual AI is its 3D World Tracker, a patented technology that enhances the camera’s ability to detect and track incidents within its field of view. Unlike traditional cameras, which can lose sight of objects when obscured by other vehicles or infrastructure, the TrafiBot anticipates vehicle speed and trajectory, even when tracked objects are temporarily hidden. It can detect sudden lane changes, wrong-way drivers, and other unexpected movements, offering traffic managers valuable insights to mitigate potential dangers on the road.
Gil Marques, President of Tacel Ltd., a leading supplier of advanced traffic management systems in Canada, praised FLIR’s approach: “FLIR has gone in the right direction by integrating its own traffic intelligence experience dating back more than 30 years within its AI algorithm, an experience that is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. Competitors must rely on off-the-shelf datasets and brand-new datasets to build their respective AI algorithms, which is not as powerful as the approach FLIR is using.”
Setting a New Standard in Early Fire Detection
The TrafiBot Dual AI takes early fire detection to new heights. Its 14-bit thermal analysis capability provides the camera with 64 times more data than standard systems, ensuring unparalleled fire detection speed and accuracy. By analysing thermal information directly on the camera, the system dramatically reduces false alarms, making it the new benchmark for early fire detection in traffic tunnels and high-risk areas.
This advanced capability is particularly crucial in environments where rapid response to fires can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major catastrophe. TrafiBot Dual AI’s ability to quickly identify fires and alert traffic management teams allows first responders to act swiftly, protecting lives and infrastructure.
Built for All Environments with Flexible Installation
FLIR’s TrafiBot Dual AI isn’t just powerful—it’s also designed for flexibility and durability. Featuring a three-axis rotational design, the camera can be easily mounted on various infrastructure types, including sloped tunnel walls and tight spaces. Its ability to swivel, pan, tilt, and roll sideways eliminates the need for custom adapter plates, significantly reducing installation time and minimising traffic disruption.
The camera is encased in an IP66/67-rated non-corrosive, marine-grade stainless steel housing that’s built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including salt air, humidity, and high-pressure water blasts from road and tunnel cleaning operations. With a 4K optical zoom of 6 to 22 mm and a detection range of up to 300 metres, the TrafiBot Dual AI provides comprehensive coverage, outperforming its predecessors in both range and resolution.
Seamless Software Integration
Beyond its hardware capabilities, the TrafiBot Dual AI seamlessly integrates with FLIR Cascade, a newly launched software platform designed to collect and organise data from the camera. Cascade includes an intelligent incident filtering system that ensures only relevant incidents are flagged for traffic operators, reducing the noise from non-critical events.
When an incident is detected, a short video clip in 4K resolution, either in colour or thermal, is generated and sent to the traffic management team for immediate review.
The system’s integration capabilities extend to video management systems, allowing live footage to be monitored in real-time, providing a comprehensive view of the situation as it unfolds. This connectivity enhances the overall responsiveness of traffic management teams, enabling quicker decisions that can prevent accidents and improve traffic flow.
Setting the Pace for Smarter Traffic Management
FLIR’s TrafiBot Dual AI isn’t just another camera; it’s a smart solution that brings together decades of traffic intelligence expertise. By combining advanced AI, early fire detection, and versatile installation options, FLIR has set a new standard for intelligent traffic monitoring. As interurban traffic continues to grow in complexity, technologies like the TrafiBot Dual AI are becoming indispensable for maintaining safety and efficiency on our roads.
Stefaan Pinck summarised the impact of this innovative technology: “The TrafiBot Dual AI is a game-changer. It not only enhances our ability to detect and respond to incidents faster but also reduces the potential for false alarms, providing a reliable solution that traffic management teams can depend on.”
As FLIR continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in traffic management, the TrafiBot Dual AI stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to developing intelligent sensing solutions that protect lives and improve road safety.
With installations underway and interest growing globally, the future of traffic intelligence looks brighter—and safer—thanks to innovations like this.
