Is edge-to-cloud the future of facial recognition systems?

The increasing demand for edge computing technology is driven by its integration of various cutting-edge advancements, such as complex AI algorithms, intelligent edge devices, and compatibility with wireless connectivity options like 5G and cellular networks. Take facial recognition, for instance; edge computing offers a distinct advantage to operators by creating a streamlined ecosystem that leverages the capabilities of AI-based video analytics, all executed directly on the edge device.

Businesses have a need for applications that must operate in remote far-edge locations, where the installation of lengthy fiber connections is impractical. Edge computing enables these companies to deploy smart (4K) cameras capable of processing images through AI algorithms and transmitting only essential data to centralized servers using advanced wireless connections.

However, when examining various architectural approaches for deploying facial recognition applications at the edge, it’s crucial to consider factors such as hardware costs, deployment expenses, network requirements, and bandwidth constraints. All of these aspects must also prioritize security and maintenance, as most facial recognition tasks are mission-critical for operators.

In cases involving straightforward image processing or object detection applications, the biometric processes can be handled either on smart cameras or on edge devices like AI boxes or industrial PCs equipped with robust graphics processing capabilities.

Differences between the architecture for deploying facial recognition applications

In the conventional approach, a centralized server handles tasks such as video decoding, face detection, template extraction, and template matching, with security cameras sending their images to the server for processing. In public spaces where security operations are in place, numerous cameras are strategically deployed, generating a substantial amount of data every second. However, when it comes to expanding the number of cameras, this creates a significant bottleneck in the network infrastructure, demanding higher bandwidth, which translates to increased costs for the operator.

One solution to tackle this issue involves shifting all biometric operations to be processed at the edge, utilizing edge devices like smart cameras or AI boxes. By doing so, the considerable volume of real-time images generated by security cameras can be processed locally, with only small amounts of information transmitted to the centralized server, responsible for database management and monitoring tasks. This approach alleviates the burden on the network and bandwidth, particularly crucial in edge computing scenarios with limited resources. This edge-to-cloud approach equips operators to construct their infrastructure using various edge devices and distributed edge resources.

Cost savings: Choose the right architecture for your facial recognition deployment

Looking at it from a cost perspective, let’s consider a facial recognition system with 100 cameras deployed in the field. In the case of a centralized server setup, processing the image stream from these 100 cameras requires 100 processing cores, necessitating a cluster of servers that comes with a substantial price tag, potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

In contrast, if we examine the same system using smart cameras or edge devices, each of the 100 cameras possesses its own biometric processing capabilities, and the cost of each of these units is a fraction of what a centralized server would cost. In an edge scenario, the CCTV cameras can connect to an AI box or industrial PC, which incorporates powerful graphics cores, such as those offered by Nvidia.

In such facial recognition systems, the cost difference can be as much as twice the cost. To put it precisely, the centralized edge server can be twice as expensive as the combined cost of the smart cameras and edge devices with AI boxes. This concept can serve as a valuable framework for understanding the financial dynamics of large-scale facial recognition deployments, especially in public safety projects.

During a recent webinar hosted by Innovatrics, the company presented various deployment scenarios, providing approximate cost estimates and details about the hardware platforms employed. The objective was to illustrate the disparities in costs across different facial recognition systems. Based on the information shared in the webinar, let’s explore the various deployment alternatives.

Assumption:

1. Centralized server – Intel Xeon Gold 6242 (40 cores)
2. Smart camera – Hanwha with Ambarella CV22
3. Edge device – Axiomtek xRSC-101 with Hailo-8 (1 device per 10 CCTV cameras)

In a recent implementation of a facial recognition system by Corsight, approximately 800 cameras were installed throughout the city’s public transit system. The software analyzed the footage, cross-referencing it with a database of over five thousand individuals subject to active court orders within the city. Within this system, let’s examine the cost-saving aspect related to different infrastructure choices.

In this particular scenario, it becomes evident that the centralized server approach may not result in exactly twice the cost of employing smart cameras and edge servers. Nonetheless, it still incurs a substantial hardware deployment expense. In mission-critical applications, such as using facial recognition to identify individuals with active court orders, a hybrid approach proves advantageous, as it offers centralized security and monitoring capabilities.

Innovatrics, a software company specializing in biometric solutions for government and enterprise applications, discussed implementations of SmartFace in the webinar. SmartFace is the company’s software toolkit tailored for the development of embedded biometric and computer vision solutions, particularly focusing on face detection and object recognition. According to Innovatrics, the SmartFace software has a compact footprint while delivering high performance, making it well-suited for deployment at the network edge on OEM devices.

Furthermore, SmartFace adopts an edge-to-cloud architecture wherein video streams undergo pre-processing on edge devices located at each camera site. This approach reduces bandwidth demands and conserves server resources. Because of its cascaded architecture, the solution can be scaled with maximizing the utilization of server resources.

Innovatrics offers customers the flexibility to leverage a customized approach to the SmartFace software solution. The company says its in-house engineers are available to customize the software kit according to the specific requirements of each client.

Conclusion

Edge-to-cloud doesn’t impose a rigid infrastructure that restricts operators to a specific way of deploying facial recognition applications. The hybrid approach, which involves distributing tasks between the centralized server and edge devices, can be essential for certain companies seeking more centralized control.

However, for organizations requiring uninterrupted system operation, opting for smart cameras or edge deployment becomes advantageous, as a failure in one edge device won’t lead to a complete system failure.

In the coming years, businesses are likely to adopt a hybrid edge-to-cloud approach for facial recognition, as network and bandwidth usage has become an important consideration, along with simplifying hardware deployment, and reducing critical infrastructure costs.

About the author

Abhishek Jadhav is a Master’s graduate in Electrical Engineering and a technology and science writer at EdgeIR,

Article Topics

biometrics  |  biometrics at the edge  |  cloud services  |  edge cameras  |  edge computing  |  facial recognition  |  Innovatrics  |  video analytics  |  video surveillance