NEW YORK, NY — Digital Sense, leader in custom AI and computer vision solutions, announced the successful results of a collaboration with a New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and Newlab, powered by Qualcomm Technologies’ edge computing solutions. The pilot program demonstrates the potential of automated city maintenance, using real-time AI to monitor critical street infrastructure.
High-Performance Intelligence at the Edge
The solution leverages the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS8550 processor to support real-time edge processing requirements. By utilizing Qualcomm’s advanced compute platform, Digital Sense developed an autonomous system capable of performing detections directly on the vehicle.
Using the QCS8550 as the compute platform for the solution provided the team with a flexible development environment, reduced complexity, and enabled Digital Sense to achieve great detection precision. It also facilitated the adoption of more advanced computer vision models, supporting strong detection accuracy within the constraints of an embedded automotive platform. The hardware also demonstrated robustness aligned with the target operating conditions.
The Role of Precision Technologies
Digital Sense has over 15 years of AI and computer vision (CV) expertise and has translated it onto the streets of New York City. Using Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cameras and multi-sensor fusion, the team achieved high precision levels across the five boroughs:
- 98% precision in monitoring regulatory speed limit signs during the pilot.
- 94% precision in detecting streetlight outages during the pilot.
- 3,325 miles logged across 49 days of single-vehicle autonomous operation during the pilot.
"By combining Qualcomm's reliable hardware with our advanced computer vision models, we’ve shown how standard municipal vehicles can be transformed into intelligent sensors across the city," said Adrián Márques, Managing Director and Project Leader at Digital Sense. "This partnership proves that real-time AI and high-tech hardware can effectively optimize city monitoring, helping improve safety and efficiency."
Advancing Smart City Maintenance
The pilot successfully identified hundreds of objects per day, including unlit lamp posts and regulatory speed limit signs (ranging from 15 MPH to 55 MPH), under different lighting and weather conditions.
This collaboration proves that urban innovation is happening today and provides a scalable, data-driven roadmap for city agencies worldwide to manage their infrastructure with increased accuracy.
About Digital Sense
Digital Sense is a leading AI solutions provider with over 15 years of experience in Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Remote Sensing, and Data Science. Trusted by customers across industries including retail, energy, and fitness leaders such as ULTA Beauty, Orsted, and Tonal. With a highly specialized talent pool that includes PhDs, masters, and engineers experienced in applying advanced technologies to build reliable industrial solutions, Digital Sense solves complex challenges and drives efficiency for forward-thinking organizations.
What sets us apart is our commitment to excellence and our ability to deliver measurable results when addressing challenges. We ensure that every project aligns with our clients’ strategic goals, resulting in solutions that have earned multiple innovation awards and delivered tangible value, strengthening their competitive advantage.
For more information, visit www.digitalsense.ai.
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