EU's intelligent cameras could nix the infamous 'bag drop'

One of the oldest and most successful tricks in the book could be finally meeting its match, as the infamous "bag drop" seen in countless silver screen suspense flicks is now the focal point of the European Union's latest investment in intelligent cameras. The EU has partnered with ten other companies and research institutes to fund the $3.11 million ISCAPS (Integrated Surveillance of Crowded Areas for Public Security) project, which does a fair job in and of itself explaining the duties. While the Brits are wading through gobs of surveillance issues in their own land, this attempt to utilize smart camera systems to pick up "abandoned bags, erratic movements, loitering, or suspicious vehicle movements" could cause quite a bit of fuss right next door. The crew has purportedly done extensive interviewing with security experts to program in what could be classified as dodgy behavior in a bustling locale, but the ultimate decision to approach someone of their motives would still be left up to a human (at least for the time being). Looks like your plans to pull off a Thomas Crown Affair of your own just got spoiled, eh?

[Neil Christie @ May 12th 2007 7:53PM]

The United Kingdom is an EU member state - it is not "right next door" when it is included.

Engadget needs to send ALL of its editors on a geography course.

[Steve @ May 12th 2007 8:12PM]

I always wondered why in the Thomas Crown Affair film how he appeared to FOLD that stolen painting into his briefcase, then it was later shown miraculously intact.

[dawggpie @ May 12th 2007 8:36PM]

wow, this isn't even close to new technology. A group in Northrop Grumman created a product called AlertVideo years ago that did this. ObjectVideo is another company that has been doing this for years. There are many other companies is this field.

[Mike10010100 @ May 12th 2007 9:15PM]

Hey all! I might be wholly ignorant on the subject, but could one of you mind explaining to the people of the interwebs what the "bag drop" thing is?

"Life forms... you tiny little life forms... you precious little life forms... where are you?...*BOOP BOOP BOOP BOOP BOOP BOOP BOOP...BLING!*"

[obiwan @ May 13th 2007 3:16AM]

Bag Drop = Dropping a bag for someone else to retrieve. Prevents tailing of subjects or desired objects. Public lockers are the perfect bag drop tool. I take the stolen diamonds, put them in a locker and mail you the key. You mail me the key to the locker where I will find payment. Of course, the obvious risk there is that one or the other party won't play fair. Cameras can observe these activities, but if you and I look similar, the camera won't be able to determine anything has gone funny. Just a guy, using a locker.
Even private lockers in a gym could be used.

[BowserUSC @ May 13th 2007 3:43AM]

This is gonna be a pain for every cigarette smoker who loiters on the corner or outside of their building when they smoke. It'd suck if a cop car showed up whenever you smoke if you like to pace or walk around when you smoke.

[segovia101 @ May 13th 2007 8:34AM]

This immediately made me think of the Combines surveilance cameras in Half Life 2 and Orwell's 1984. If the cameras can be programmmed to monitor suspicious activity shouldn't we worry about how suspicious activity is defined? Coupled with other technologies like RFID, the ability to track mobile phones, facial recognition software and retinal scanning to name but a few, the future is shaping up to be a dictators dream.

[mark allen @ May 13th 2007 2:58PM]

Did Orwell write about the future or did he cause it to happen?

[Russ @ May 13th 2007 10:47PM]

wouldn't it be easily to wear a barcode, register daily destinations with the government, and stick to the main streets? if you are innocent, why worry? (BTW- i'm joking)