Thales has announced a collaboration with Eyedea, a Czech-based visual recognition technology firm, to secure and protect its artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software. The partnership will see Eyedea deploy Thales Sentinel, a leading software monetisation and protection platform, to safeguard its AI-powered technology and ensure compliance with international data protection laws.
Eyedea, which provides AI-based visual recognition software, is widely used by security-conscious organisations, including Interpol, Europol, and national police forces such as the Czech Police. Originally founded in 2006 by a research group at the Czech Technical University in Prague’s Centre for Machine Perception, the company specialises in software that can analyse CCTV footage to identify vehicle makes and models, read number plates, and detect behaviours such as distracted driving or unfastened seatbelts.
Enhancing Security and Compliance
The collaboration with Thales allows Eyedea to enhance security for its customers, ensuring that access to its AI software is safeguarded while preventing unauthorised use or tampering. The company integrates its technology into existing hardware and software through software development kits (SDKs), which are delivered alongside a Thales Sentinel hardware key.
Eyedea’s software also includes features that ensure compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It can anonymise human faces and vehicle licence plates in images, helping organisations meet legal requirements while maintaining security and efficiency.
Martin Urban, CEO at Eyedea, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating: “Thales Sentinel is essential for us to go to market in a secure and assured way. Our customers need to trust that access to our software is safeguarded, while we need to protect our IP and manage active deployments. Thales Sentinel does a fantastic job of handling both, allowing us to scale our revenue streams and focus more of our time on technology innovation.”
Flexible Software Protection
Thales Sentinel provides IP protection and licensing flexibility, enabling Eyedea to offer various software packaging options based on customer needs. This includes a free three-month trial, which expires based on usage or time limits, followed by a one-year licensing option.
Damien Bullot, Vice President of Software Monetisation at Thales, said: “We’re very proud of the long-standing relationship we’ve built with Eyedea. Thales Sentinel has enabled them to support hundreds of public and private customers worldwide with secure and flexible software solutions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as Eyedea further innovates and evolves its AI technology.”
A key component of Thales Sentinel’s protection system is the Sentinel Envelope, which secures Eyedea’s software from breaches, while the Sentinel Licensing feature allows the company to manage deployments and scale revenue streams.
Expanding Global Reach
Eyedea’s technology is used in a range of applications, from traffic monitoring to security and public safety. By leveraging Thales Sentinel, the company aims to expand its global reach while ensuring its software remains secure and compliant.
With the increasing adoption of AI-powered visual recognition in law enforcement and transport, the partnership with Thales positions Eyedea to continue developing innovative solutions while maintaining the highest standards of security and reliability.