Collaborating with Scylla AI, Konica Minolta’s REACT Visible Weapon Detection module uses advanced algorithms to detect visible firearms in facilities that include schools and other public buildings.
RAMSEY, N.J.—Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), has announced a move to strengthen its business in the monitoring and video security solutions market through the deployment of a new Visible Weapon Detection (VWD) module within its REACT platform.
Konica Minolta boasts that its REACT platform is a comprehensive, end-to-end platform that helps organizations analyze situations and behaviors, offering advanced onsite (edge-based) real-time recognition and judgment-based AI processing. The company states the solution’s smart analytics provide effective options to defuse dangerous situations for clients through video surveillance and real-time alerts. With the REACT platform, clients can easily add other modules to their security portfolio, such as the new Visible Weapon Detection module, which leverages technology from Scylla AI, a computer vision company based in Austin, Texas.
“This new solution was specifically developed with K-12 schools in mind,” comments Vijay Raghavan, senior vice president, digital transformation and emerging businesses, Konica Minolta.
“There is a critical need for more effective security measures, and together with Scylla, Konica Minolta can equip schools and other organizations with a powerful tool that can detect and prevent dangerous situations before they can cause harm.”
REACT Platform Protects School and Other Facilities
According to the Washington Post School Shootings Database, there have been 380 school shootings since 1999 (data as of May 1, 2023). Konica Minolta points out that its VSS product development team recognized the need for a detection solution. The results of the group’s efforts, the company continues is the REACT VWD solution that is said to give K-12 schools, higher education institutions and other organizations the ability to rapidly detect a potential threat and quickly share that information with their security teams and local law enforcement.
Working with Scylla AI, Konica Minolta developed an algorithm that can detect visible firearms. Integrated into the REACT platform with other AI and automation capabilities, the new module can help schools, government offices and other organizations provide an unparalleled level of safety and security that is not dependent on continuous in-person monitoring. It allows for:
- Real-time incident notification: provides alerts in seconds
- Protecting bystanders: with audio or mobile alerts
- Sounding alarms: through automation, so the security team can investigate quickly
- Facilitating communication: to law enforcement or to a linked public address system
- Detection in low-light situations: when human eyes may be challenged
- Securing facilities: when linked to door locks
Konica Minolta says the new REACT Visible Weapon Detection module can work as a standalone solution or it can be integrated with the REACT platform. Additionally, the company notes, the solution offers algorithms that can be customized for each site.
“Scylla has not been active in the education market until now, and we’re excited to bring our state-of-the-art weapon detection to this market in the U.S.,” says Albert Stepanyan, CEO of Scylla AI.
“Together with Konica Minolta, we’re leveraging the latest in computer vision technology to prevent shooter situations and keep students safe.”
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