Singapore has improved Balefire's AI tool for identifying smokers

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Singapore has upgraded the Balefire artificial intelligence-based computer vision system used to detect citizens smoking in banned public places across the country. The new version 3.0 is designed to better combat offences.

Here's What We Know

According to GovTech agency engineer Pye Sone Kyaw, Balefire should help the National Environmental Agency (NEA) identify smokers in parks, educational institutions, swimming pools and other smoke-free areas where security cameras are installed.

Previous versions of the system were considered pilot versions. The upgrade to version 3.0 with improved recognition algorithms has already been deployed at 20 sites.

According to the developer, identifying cigarettes is not an easy task because of their small size and similarity to other objects.

The new system uses a multi-stage processing pipeline that includes detecting and tracking heads, classifying them as "smokers/non-smokers," re-identifying them to eliminate repeated alerts to the same person. The pipeline was customised based on data from previous versions of Balefire.

Engineers expect the updated AI to significantly increase the number of correctly identified intruders, while reducing the number of false positives. This will allow the NEA to optimise the distribution of forces for patrolling "hot spots" and increase the effectiveness of the fight against smoking in public places.

Under current rules, smoking in unauthorised places carries a fine of S$200 to S$1,000 ($148 to $740).

Source: The Register