Using artificial intelligence to understand how our community use the area along the Blue Mile might sound like something from a science fiction novel.
But it’s real life – thanks to a smart video trial conducted by Telstra, in collaboration with Council, along the popular exercising strip.
The trial will use cameras as smart sensors, Artificial Intelligence and “edge computing” devices to survey how pedestrians and cyclists share the space at the tramway cutting on the Blue Mile.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said it was an important project as the data, which is collected anonymously, will help Council understand how pedestrians and cyclists interact.
“We plan to use this sensor technology to collect meaningful data that can be used to better plan our paths and recreation areas for the future,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Council values our community’s right to privacy. That’s why the data collected will be anonymous and specifically restricted to the purposes on this project.”
Wollongong local resident and spokesperson for Telstra, Dr Iain Russell, is thrilled to be supporting council’s innovative technology trial.
“Telstra recognises the importance that disruptive technology plays in society. Showing how computer vision and artificial intelligence can bring richer and deeper data insights to a local community problem in a safe and ethical way will be a big factor for our joint success,” Dr Russell said.
“By combining a range of technologies this trial will showcase how collaboration between leading global tech providers, and Council can resolve local problems.”
It’s not the first time Council has experimented with smart technology. In July, we began a six-month trial of new bin sensors in bins along the Blue Mile to automatically detect the capacity of the bin and alert cleaning crews.
