Argus: Revolutionizing Security with Biometric Technology

Travis Baldwin Designs a High-Performance, Cost-Effective Biometric Camera

Argus is a nondescript mounted camera pillar capable of identifying 10 people per minute at a distance of 3 to 8 feet. It was designed for locations where traditional solutions are not feasible. The product layout was optimized to house a long zoom lens camera vertically, moving only a mirror to provide pan-tilt functionality. This design allows for a compact size, fast movement, and high performance. Groups can be identified simultaneously, making Argus a highly efficient solution.

What sets Argus apart from other biometric solutions is its cost-effectiveness and simplicity. Current auto-recognition systems are expensive and require multiple cameras around a portal where people pass, using high levels of IR light. Argus simplifies this process with a single mounted camera system that can pan, tilt, and zoom at high speed to capture all people passing, aiming less IR light only at a single person. A longer custom-made low-light zoom lens and camera can be used because of its vertical orientation, increasing the capture range to include even people in wheelchairs.

The design process of Argus leveraged previous biometric development experience. The team integrated high-spec off-the-shelf components to outperform more expensive systems at a fraction of the cost. Argus uses high-resolution 75 frame/sec digital cameras, standard motors, and Arduino PCBs. For select non-standard components, the team designed bespoke lenses, mechanisms, and enclosures to meet specific needs.

Argus was designed to be a compact, simple cylindrical form that could be mounted in a variety of ways. The overall design is tightly fit into the form, efficiently using the space. Different lens options can capture different view boxes, making Argus a versatile solution. The device weighs 16 lbs and has a capture speed of 1/10 second per person at 75fps. The pan range is 27 degrees left or right (54 degrees total), and the tilt range is 34 degrees left or right (68 degrees total).

The Argus project kicked off in Washington D.C., Minnesota, Austin TX, and Bristol UK in December 2015. The initial main device low volume production started in July 2017, with revisions and accessories developed until the start of 2018. The design was awarded Silver in A' Security, Safety and Surveillance Products Design Award in 2018, a testament to its innovative design and potential impact on the security industry.