Choosing the Best Capture

Tourism and Attraction businesses, have traditionally chosen either IP style security cameras or higher end studio cameras to capture guest experiences. The quality of prosumer capture is increasing quickly.  iPhones offer excellent image capture under difficult lighting conditions. The powerful onboard compute and sensors coupled with the networking capabilities, make the durable small form factor of an iPhone perfect for acting as a remote capture device.

A Lego Adventure

Lego is the perfect way to rapidly prototype the real world physical environment. The iPhone and Core ML enable you to run Vision AI models on the phones Neural Chip, which can recognize people [yes even Lego people]. Jill and Jane [our adventurous Lego actors] don't get tired of being thrown off a platform allowing us to explore different angles and scenarios. 

02.

RAD & Harsh Conditions

Ensuring reliability

DWS were engaged to design a robust and resilient solution capable of operating in remote and complex locations, handling unpredictable customer behavior, and coping with environmental challenges inherent in adventure tourism activities. Nevis Bungy is a 134m fall into a remote gorge and Sky Jump is 51 stories high on the top of Sky Tower. These remote locations provide significant technical challenges. We used local edge compute, industrial sensors and messaging to ensure timely triggering and capture of content. 

We figure whether it is Robbie Maddison of Red Bull wanting to ride his motorbike off the edge or someone jumping for the first time, the system should be able to capture it.

03.

Making Epic Videos

A Social Media World

When customers share their experiences online, it serves as a powerful form of peer-to-peer marketing. This content often appears more authentic and relatable than traditional advertising. These organic posts also tend to have a wider reach and better engagement rates, as they are shared within personal networks, leading to increased visibility for the adventure tourism brands involved.

Algorithms on platforms like Instagram and Facebook are designed to promote content that keeps users on the platform longer. Consumer-Generated-Content [CGC] is typically captured on phones and is therefore prioritized.

Creating video compositions which are dynamic, short and in portrait mode increase social media sharing.

The Solution
Apple + Azure + IFM + CloudRail

To meet the objectives outlined for Bungy Ltd, we designed and implemented a comprehensive automated photo and video capture system using a combination of advanced technologies, hardware, and software. The solution was structured into eight core components, each addressing specific requirements and challenges.

Configuration

We utilized Azure IoT Hub for device registration and configuration, enabling Bungy Ltd to manage their operations from the site level down to individual cameras. The system allowed them to adjust settings like zoom, exposure, ISO, and more, providing optimal control over image and video quality.

Orchestration

We employed RMQ for communication between triggers and iPhones, defining rules and sequences for the capture process in response to various events. This orchestration layer ensured a smooth and well-coordinated capture experience, even in high-speed adventure activities.

Composition

We used Azure IoT Edge modules and Azure App Services to create engaging, composed videos from raw captures. This process involved applying effects, stitching together different clips, and optimizing the final product to ensure a captivating and professional visual experience for customers.

Sales

We implemented customer sales pipeline tools and payment methods to streamline the purchasing process and improve sales volumes, making it easy for customers to buy their photos and videos.

Triggering

We integrated Apple iPhones and YOLOv8 image segmentation with industrial sensors such as CloudRail to accurately trigger the start of the capture process. This approach allowed the system to adapt to unpredictable customer behavior and ensure the perfect moment was captured during each adventure activity.

Capture

We leveraged iPhone 14 Pros for recording photos and videos, providing high-quality imagery at a lower cost compared to Digital SLR cameras. The captured content was then uploaded to local Azure IoT Edge and cloud storage for further processing and delivery.

Delivery

Our solution integrated Twilio for sending email and SMS notifications to customers with links to their content, which was accessible through a NextJS-powered portal. We utilized Azure Storage and App Services to ensure optimal performance and reliability in delivering the content to customers.

Monitoring & Reporting

We built a monitoring and reporting system that provided alerts and reports to maintain the system and track customer activity. This allowed Bungy Ltd to stay informed about the performance of the automated capture system, identify potential issues, and make data-driven decisions to optimize the overall experience.