A Japanese tech startup* claims to have developed an artificial intelligence* (AI) software that analyzes surveillance* camera footage to detect suspicious behavior and prevent shoplifting before it actually happens.

The software called “VaakEye” first made news headlines in December 2018 when it picked up on previously undetected shoplifting activity at a convenience store in Yokohama. The suspect, an 80-year-old man, was apprehended* a few days later after stealing a hat. Vaak is currently testing its software in a few dozen stores in the Tokyo area, but plans to have it installed in 100,000 stores across Japan in the next three years.

VaakEye is based on a complex algorithm* that harnesses* deep learning from more than 100,000 hours of surveillance footage and analyzes over 100 different factors, from a person’s face, clothes, movement, overall behavior, to macro-data like crime incidence in the area the shop is located in, or current weather conditions.

VaakEye is not intended to help police catch shoplifters after they have committed the crime, but rather help business owners prevent the crime from being committed. (SD-Agencies)