Evercam and Hikvision are partnering to help construction companies optimize performance and minimize risk on large projects worldwide using innovative AIoT technologies. Hikvision interviewed Marco Herbst, CEO of Evercam, to find out how the company’s suite of video AI solutions, which are powered by Hikvision technology, provide a comprehensive view of project progress vs. agreed delivery schedules.
Q: What does Evercam provide for customers in the construction industry?
A: We specialize in writing smart software for IP cameras to help construction companies improve their efficiency, minimize their project risks, and to help them meet their project delivery goals. In the past, if construction companies wanted to show what was happening on site, they typically used GoPro cameras or expensive DSLR cameras to take photographs at intervals. But this approach just provides point-in-time snapshots rather than a complete view of a project as it is progressing. Our solutions, on the other hand, goes much further to help construction projects succeed. We give them constant visibility of everything that happens on a site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Q: What is unique about Evercam construction solutions?
A: Our solutions are unique in their ability to deliver the holy grail of insights for construction companies: namely, whether projects are on track – or not. For example, we can show how much earth has been removed from a site, how much cement and other materials have been delivered to the site, or the specific status of each aspect of the project based on what’s been built and compare that to the project plan. All of this helps our construction company clients track progress against agreed delivery schedules. If issues or delays are identified, they can act quickly to resolve them.
Q: What do Evercam solutions do beyond recording video of the construction site?
A: That’s a great question! Basically, our video feeds are integrated with a ‘4D BIM plan’, which is basically a 3D CAD plan for the construction project that includes a timeline and key milestones. This gives a clear view of how the project is advancing compared to the delivery schedule. We also have a bespoke algorithm that perfectly aligns the BIM plan with the slightly curved video footage from on-site ‘fisheye’ cameras. We’ve even integrated a weather-forecast feed so our clients can see how this might impact activities for the following day or week.
Q: What are the key benefits of Evercam solutions for customers in the construction industry?
A: Perhaps the most important benefit is that, with our solutions, construction companies can identify – and therefore reduce – project delays. This is because we give them a clear view of why delays in deliveries or activities are taking place and how the impacts can be minimized. We can also help in the resolution of disputes by providing video evidence of activities and deliveries. This can prevent costly legal processes which, again, ensures that projects can advance as quickly as possible. I think the final key benefit is that we can help companies avoid costly reworking by ensuring that any elements being constructed incorrectly or in the wrong place on a site can be identified immediately before high costs are incurred as a result of the error.
Q: Why has Evercam chosen Hikvision cameras as the foundation for your construction solutions?
A: Our solutions rely on AIoT cameras and NVRs and quite simply Hikvision is one of the world leaders when it comes to these kinds of device. We also need very high-resolution cameras for our solutions to capture what happens on construction sites, and Hikvision now offers a 12 megapixel camera that is ideal for our needs.
On top of this, Hikvision cameras offer some great AI features, such as ANPR (license-plate recognition), which we already use, and a range of other capabilities – such as people counting and health and safety features such as hard-hat analysis, that we may decide to implement in the future.
Q: How does your partnership with Hikvision help your achieve your business goals?
A: In lots of ways. We’ve been partnering with Hikvision for more than a decade and we’ve had lots of great support during that time based on close contact with the Hikvision engineering team. Hikvision also give us access to early release products, which is really helpful in terms of staying at the cutting edge of what we do.
We’re also a global company with customers running major construction projects all over the world, so Hikvision’s global presence really matters to us. With teams and support around the world, Hikvision can help us support large construction projects wherever they are located.
Q: What does the future of construction look like from your perspective, and how will Evercam and Hikvision contribute?
A: We see the construction industry becoming more and more digitalized, which is a great opportunity for us and for Hikvision as well. Because Hikvision has a very large range of products, we are able to continue expanding our capabilities quickly. Hikvision is also driving innovation in the camera space, so we’ll soon have access to even higher-resolution and even smarter cameras with even more AI features.
We’re seeing a huge demand among construction companies for technologies that reduce project risk and accelerate delivery, and Evercam and Hikvision provide unique solutions in these areas. We’re looking forward to an even more successful future working together.
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