H5M Outdoor Dome Camera 2019-2020

Designers: Innovation Design Team, Motorola Solutions, USA
Manufacturer: Motorola Solutions, USA

Description 

The H5M Outdoor Dome camera provides a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious video surveillance installations and is intended for sites that require a small footprint camera for outdoor use. The H5M camera is designed for tough environmental conditions while offering advanced Video analytics through Artificial Intelligence technology for faster response times and simple installation. The device relies on Unusual Motion Detection (UMD) Technology which uses AI to notify users of unusual events that might otherwise have been missed, offering increased situational awareness and enabling effective monitoring of more cameras. The modular design snaps into surface and in-ceiling mount adapters for fast and easy, installation without tools. The camera module itself is designed as a unique sealed unit which functions independently of mounting systems. The H5M serves as a portal for video capture systems which have become a key component in public and private safety and security. 

Design Innovation 

Modern surveillance cameras generally rely on motion sensing technology based only on movement of people or objects. H5M Developers and Designers proposed a system based on Artificial Intelligence and the camera's ability to "learn" patterns and anomalies in everyday use. They incorporated Unusual Motion Detection (UMD) which lets the device identify actions without requiring the rules and parameters demanded by current motion detection solutions. The device recognizes and flags unique motion without the need for programming. Starting with this technology Designers developed a simplified housing and mounting system intended to optimize the installation phase and leverage the unique aspects of UMD in a physical embodiment. The physical design utilizes a unique approach to weather sealing where the universal camera module is re- imagined as a complete environmentally sealed unit. External shroud and housings function as protective covers but are not critical sealing elements. This eliminates the need for installers to violate factory sealed components which can compromise performance during the installation process. 

Benefit to User 

Designers were challenged to create a differentiated solution in the outdoor surveillance camera category. Many of the challenges posed in fixed cameras such as these are in the area of installation, adjustment, and maintenance. It is not uncommon for hundreds of such devices to be installed in a community or campus and any simplification of the deployment process improves labor and maintenance costs. This aspect of the project succeeded as the camera was re- envisioned as a sealed module offering a variety of easily reconfigurable mounting accessories. 

The installation process was also improved by redefining the traditional pan, tilt, and azimuth adjustment required for such devices into a single screw adjustment. Another issue that continued to surface in research is the cumbersome removal process required when a device requires a reset operation. Designers re- imagined this into a single lightpipe/button combination that makes the device accessible for reset and maintenance without any removal required. 

Benefit to Client/Brand 

The client is part of a large Public Safety/Commercial communication solutions provider with the intent to unify voice, video, audio, sensing, and database information with the power of Artificial Intelligence. The H5M solution captures activity and creates actionable insights that lead to safer environments and communities. The capture, processing, and presentation of such information is a key goal as this provider evolves from a device centric emphasis to a solution centric model. The H5M fits the client need to effectively capture point data and fuse it with a larger ecosystem of information offered in a recurring subscription format. 

Benefit to Society 

Communities and organizations demand increased interconnection and video capture capability. This emphasis on security is extensively mandated by government, community, and private organizations. The ability to provide organizations with the right information is an important driver for the H5M system. Observers can be easily overwhelmed with excessive video information from multiple camera feeds. When this happens interest and benefits are soon lost as content becomes unmanageable. The ability of this solution to differentiate and detect unusual movements in a new way is a key factor in keeping organizations and communities safe, informed, and focused. 

Appropriate Aesthetics 

The H5M was designed with a fixed internal module easily adapted with various accessory skins depending on application. These skins establish the Design language which demands simplified forms and color palette. A device in this category cannot call attention to itself or become an attraction for theft or vandalism and is intended to  "recede" into a variety of environments. Designers referenced adjacent architectural accessories in this environment to assure a proper aesthetic. 

Materials Used 

Cast Aluminum, Polycarbonate, 2.8 mm, F1.2 lens 

Dimensions 

100 mm × 100 mm × 115 mm; 3.9” × 3.9” × 4.5” 0.355 kg; 0.78 lbs