Bosch has been researching in the field of quanta for more than ten years, and it is playing a decisive part in commercialising quantum sensors. Since 2023, it has had a development collaboration with Element Six, the world’s leading solutions provider of synthetic diamonds. Bosch is now significantly extending this alliance and establishing a joint venture, to be known as Bosch Quantum Sensing.

The joint venture will be based on the in-house start-up of the same name, which Bosch set up in 2022. Domiciled in Ludwigsburg, Germany, Bosch Quantum Sensing currently employs 30 associates. Bosch itself will be the lead partner and be responsible for operations. Element Six will hold a 25 percent stake. It has been agreed that further financial details will not be disclosed. The establishment of the new company is still subject to official approval.

Synthetic diamonds are a key component

Bosch Quantum Sensing sees many areas in which novel quantum sensors can be used, from exploration of natural resources to aircraft navigation and medical technology. By the middle of the next decade, Bosch estimates that the global market potential of medical and mobility applications will be in the mid-single-digit billion euros range per year. Synthetic diamonds are a key component of Bosch quantum sensors. In stepping up its partnership with Element Six, Bosch is making a determined move toward the commercialisation of quantum sensors.

“Quantum sensors are a future technology with huge potential. They will bring about fundamental changes in many sectors of our economy, and improve people’s lives. In setting up this new company, we are underscoring this technology’s strategic significance for Bosch. As innovation leader of commercial quantum sensors, we will work with Element Six to further extend our technological lead,” says Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.

Quantum leap toward commercialisation

The distinctive qualities of these special-purpose synthetic diamonds allow quantum sensors based on them to detect even the tiniest magnetic fields. In this way, they satisfy the most exacting market requirements and make real innovations possible.

“We want to work with Element Six to make quantum sensors economical and allow them to be produced on an industrial scale. In this way, we will create the basis for innovative applications that set new standards for precision and efficiency,” says Katrin Kobe, CEO of Bosch Quantum Sensing.

“Through the new joint venture between Bosch and Element Six, which aligns with Element Six’ contribution towards De Beers Group’s Origins strategy, we will integrate our synthetic diamond technology with Bosch Quantum Sensing’s capabilities, unlocking new possibilities in critical sectors such as healthcare and navigation. Together, we will harness the respective decades of excellence and innovation to push the limits of what’s possible, heralding a new era of synthetic diamond-enabled technologies”, says Siobhán Duffy, the CEO of Element Six.

The synthetic diamond solutions provider is in a unique position to supply the highly engineered synthetic diamonds in the quantity and quality required for industrial applications, while Bosch will integrate them into robust and scalable sensor systems. It is a classic win-win situation.

The goal – quantum sensors on a chip

Even now, the latest Bosch quantum sensor prototype is the most compact of its kind for the level of sensitivity required – it is the same size as a modern smartphone. In the area of mobility, it could enable a robust navigation in the future, complementary to conventional GPS systems. It could also offer decisive advantages for the exploration of natural resources and, in medical technology, for the measurement of cardiac activity. The advantage of compact sensors is their portability, less expensive production, and better scalability. The long-term goal of Bosch Quantum Sensing is to make quantum sensors so small that they can be integrated onto a chip.

Nedap Identification Systems has entered into a strategic partnership with Datafox, a renowned expert in access control and time registration solutions. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, empowering Datafox to distribute and promote Nedap’s groundbreaking vehicle access control solutions throughout Germany.

According to the company, this partnership is a natural alignment of strengths. With Nedap’s pioneering identification technologies and Datafox’s established reputation and distribution network, businesses across Germany will gain access to state-of-the-art solutions that redefine security and operational efficiency. Together, we are poised to transform the market by delivering innovative and future-ready access control systems.

“Partnering with Nedap allows us to enhance our portfolio with some of the most advanced technologies in the industry. We’re proud to represent their solutions and look forward to driving growth and innovation for our customers in Germany,” comments Markus Heil, CEO at Datafox.

Driving innovation in vehicle access control

Nedap’s innovative product range—from the NVITE reader, offering seamless multi-technology identification, to RFID, UHF and ANPR systems for reliable long-range vehicle identification —is tailored to meet the diverse needs of sectors such as industrial sites, critical infrastructure, logistics and corporate environments. By partnering with Datafox, German businesses are promised to expect unparalleled support, streamlined implementation, and solutions that set new standards in access control.

Versatile technology for every application

Nedap’s NVITE reader is more than just Apple Wallet-compatible; it supports a range of technologies, including QR codes, BLE, RFID, and NFC. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for diverse access control scenarios, from commercial buildings to transportation hubs. The NVITE is ready to meet today’s demands while being prepared for tomorrow’s innovations.

“This partnership with Datafox represents an exciting step forward in our mission to make secure and efficient access solutions accessible to businesses in Germany. Datafox’s deep understanding of the German market and its strong relationships with customers make them the ideal partner to bring our solutions to new heights,” says Jan Hofman, Strategic Business Development at Nedap Identification Systems.

This impressive growth prediction, according to the researchers, is driven by increased global internet penetration, increased consumer awareness about advanced security systems, and higher reliance on mobile applications to make daily processes easier. Smart locks without power locks use Wifi or Bluetooth to connect to other home appliances installed. Locks can be operated by a special power cord or by installing a smart lock app on the phone.

Reliable and unique

The user can send temporary keys to people, giving them home access within a specified time. In addition, smart lock technology is easy to use and unique compared to conventional methods. For instance, security solutions with passwords, ID codes, machine keys, and code names are tedious to take care of and can potentially lead to theft or loss of data. Smart keys work on an IoT connection, which synchronises with the user’s smartphone to gain control. This smart lock feature makes it reliable, unique, and easy to use and strengthens its market presence.

During the first couple of quarters of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed the pace of new smart lock installations. Drastic changes such as cross-border trade prohibitions, economic uncertainty, restrictive standards necessitating temporary shutdowns of industrial facilities, and stay-at-home orders for the general public produced a difficult situation for the industry. Nonetheless, measures such as embedding touchless technologies into their products, developing mobile apps for performing operations, and offering products at lower pricing on the available modes helped businesses increase their ROI during these essential lockdown instances.

Specific smart lock researcher highlights

• The deadbolt segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 42.7% in 2024, owing to its enhanced security features and easy integration into existing door systems.
• Based on application, the residential segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024, owing to the increasing adoption of smart home ecosystems, rising awareness about home security, and the convenience of remote locking/unlocking.

• The Bluetooth segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. Bluetooth-enabled smart locks are driven by their offline accessibility, low power consumption, and straightforward smartphone pairing.

• Based on authentication method, the smartphone-based segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024.

Major players

Some of the key players in this market and also mentioned in the report include, August Home (Assa Abloy), Avent Security, Cansec Systems, Danalock, Dormakaba, Friday Home, Gate Labs, Havenlock, Honeywell International,  Kwikset (Assa Abloy), Remotelock, Mul-T-Lock (Assa Abloy), Nuki Home Solutions, Onity (Honeywell), Salto Systems, Schlage (Allegion), Sentrilock, Smartlock, Unikey Technologies, Yale (Assa Abloy), and Zigbang.

Motorola Solutions has made investments in Brinc and Skysafe, forming strategic alliances to integrate Drone as First Responder (DFR) and drone detection technologies into its 911 command centre solution, Commandcentral, and expand the companies’ go-to-market opportunities. With more than 60% of North America’s public safety answering points (PSAP) already relying on Motorola Solutions’ 911 command centre software, this collective U.S.-made offering enables public safety agencies to seamlessly introduce drones to help protect the public’s safety and security.

“With over 240 million 911 calls made each year, a faster response time to the call can be the consequential difference in an emergency,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “We’re integrating the powerful capabilities of drones into 911 software, enabling precious time saved to deliver that life-saving medicine or give officers eyes and ears on scene before they arrive.”

Drones as first responders

Brinc allows 911 call handlers to immediately dispatch drones in response to emergency calls or with the push of a button from a Motorola Solutions APX Next smart radio. According to the company, some 911 calls can be cleared solely with drones, which Motorola Solutions expects to augment with “Assist for 911,” its AI application that can automate incident analysis and help determine when a DFR-based response is appropriate.

“Of equal importance to the public’s safety is managing the growing threat of unauthorised drones,” Saptharishi said. “Greater security for our airspace is an imperative to safeguard our critical infrastructure, borders and communities. This alliance also brings drone detection to the screens of 911 and command centre operators across the nation.”

Airspace security

Skysafe can track and identify a drone, its operator’s location and real-time flight path and historical data. With Skysafe’s cloud-based SaaS platform, customers can have a reliable airspace security solution that requires no hardware or infrastructure investment. The company predicts the number of consumer drones in the U.S. can rise into the millions, highlighting the scale of risk that unauthorised drones potentially pose.

The new streams of drone intelligence enabled through these integrations can be streamed live into the command centre and shared with officers in the field on in-vehicle computers or mobile devices. It can further be stored in agencies’ evidence management systems as part of Motorola Solutions’ ecosystem of safety and security technologies. Agencies can combine other incident data, such as 911 call records, officers’ radio dialogue, officers’ location information and more, for comprehensive analysis and evidence, including AI-based redaction to protect privacy.

“Drones are often first on the scene, providing the initial set of eyes on an emergency and equipping first responders to arrive better prepared,” said Blake Resnick, founder and CEO of Brinc. “We’re proud of our work with Motorola Solutions to help make drones an attainable reality for public safety agencies, helping to safeguard human life.”

“Unauthorised drones at major events and airports can cause immediate, harmful effects on people and operations,” said Grant Jordan, CEO of Skysafe. “We share Motorola Solutions’ vision to empower PSAPs to detect and protect against the increasing threats from malicious drones.”

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Pedestal Pro, a US manufacturer of access control pedestals, bollards, and innovative mounting solutions.

This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

“Pedestal Pro is an established innovator that seamlessly integrates design, architectural elements, and access control technology, and I am excited for them to be part of ASSA ABLOY,” says Lucas Boselli, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas Division. “Their product portfolio enhances our offering for electromechanical solutions and solidifies our position as a go-to partner for access control equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and security professionals.”

Pedestal Pro was founded in 2002 and has some 50 employees. The main office and factory are located in Lindon, Utah, USA.

Sales for 2024 amounted to about MUSD 11 with a good EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.

The future of security requires smarter, more efficient and secure solutions, to help drive this transformation Hanwha Vision is launching, what the company is calling its most advanced AI-powered System on a Chip (SoC), the Wisenet 9.

After nearly four years of extensive research and testing, Wisenet 9’s advanced features help elevate Hanwha cameras into an AI-driven era, and aiming to set a new standard for performance, accuracy, and security.

“With Wisenet 9, you can count on the superior image quality that delivers the best possible video in the toughest environments, as well as the accuracy of the AI-generated data, whether statistical or event-driven,” states John Lutz Boorman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe.

AI revolution at the edge

Wisenet 9’s enhanced edge AI capabilities are essential in this innovation era, where the volume and complexity of security threats demand real-time, accurate analysis. By elevating edge-device performance, AI empowers systems to quickly analyse vast amounts of video data and discern crucial patterns and anomalies.

A key differentiator driving this transformation is the two Neural Processing Units (NPUs), which have improved inference performance three-fold compared to Wisenet 7, the previous SoC generation.

While one NPU handles image processing, the other focuses on object detection and advanced analytics. This dual NPU concept was introduced to ensure video quality and analytics have independent resources, preventing one function from impacting the performance of the other.

Unveiling hidden details

Wisenet 9 uses AI to analyse visual data with greater precision. By leveraging a powerful NPU, the system moves past traditional image processing to extract critical information, unlocking previously unseen details with remarkable clarity in tough environments.

This enhanced visual intelligence is achieved through a suite of sophisticated AI features, including AI-based extreme Wide Dynamic Range, AI-powered noise reduction, alongside image enhancements.

Combined, these technologies promise to deliver exceptional clarity, even under the most challenging conditions. The AI-driven image enhancement, powered by an independent NPU, ensures that every detail, no matter how subtle, is captured and analysed.

AI efficiency redefined

AI is powerful, but it can also be resource-intensive. Wisenet 9 flips that script. It’s not just smart, it’s efficient – optimising every aspect of its operation.

By intelligently reducing noise, Wisenet 9 achieves a remarkable level of efficiency in data volume reduction, resulting in significantly reduced bandwidth consumption and storage requirements.

This core efficiency is further bolstered by the latest H.265 compression technology. The H.265 codec provides high video quality with optimised bandwidth, ensuring reliable, real-time video processing and transmission – critical for uninterrupted 24/7 security. Furthermore, this optimised H.265 support enables consistently high performance in demanding environments, essential for system stability, and streamlines data management in cloud environments, efficiently controlling storage and transfer costs.

Wisenet 9’s H.265 codec, aligned with current industry standards and ONVIF profiles, ensures broad hardware compatibility and seamless integration with your existing security infrastructure and provides a dependable foundation for long-term system reliability.

Beyond this, Wisenet 9 leverages AI for advanced analytics. Its enhanced AI technology provides detailed attribute analysis, including colour, bag, face mask, glasses, age, and gender, along with other key analytics like people and vehicle counting, slip and fall detection, crowd detection, heatmap, queue management, and more, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

To further amplify its capabilities, Wisenet 9 incorporates several key technologies that power the next generation of efficiency, including, Re-Identification (RE-ID) for enhanced person tracking and searching; Dynamic Privacy Masking (DPM) to efficiently safeguards biometric personal data using AI, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

Expandable AI

Recognising that security demands are as diverse as the industries they serve, Wisenet 9 has been engineered with so-called unparalleled AI capabilities. This empowers users to tailor their security systems.

Additionally, Wisenet 9 is compatible with AI Packs (Traffic, Retail, Factory), designed to deliver actionable insights specific to various sectors.  And, AI-based sound classification enables rapid detection and directional awareness of critical events like gunshots, glass breaks, and screaming, to enhance situational awareness.  Also, Wisenet 9 empowers users to create customised security solutions by providing the flexibility to tailor their systems with custom applications for video analytics, storage, and other functionalities.

Improved end-to-end protection

Wisenet 9 significantly enhances end-to-end protection by building upon the robust security foundation of Wisenet 7. It inherits essential features like Secure Storage, OS, and Boot, which protect critical chipset data and prevent unauthorised software execution.

Moreover, the inclusion of a FIPS 140-3 Level 3 elevates security to an exceptional standard. This certification guarantees that the chipset adheres to rigorous security protocols, assuring users of comprehensive data protection.

The global IP camera market size is estimated to reach USD 31.11 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 13.4% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

According to the research, the demand for internet protocol (IP)-based camera systems is increasing due to the constant development of infrared cameras and the adoption of IoT in video surveillance. With an increasing number of home burglaries and squatting, residential security is one of the top concerns of homeowners. The rising smartphone user base and the availability of installment-based security solution subscriptions promise robust growth in the residential market.

Cost continues to have a positive impact

Home security concerns are growing along with the connected ability to alert security services, and the comparatively low cost of home security continues to impact the market’s growth positively. These cameras help users respond immediately to any incursions inside buildings, abandonment of suspicious materials, and loitering & trespassing by persons and vehicles, as it also has built-in video intelligence.

IP cameras protect personnel, property, or information as they are employed in various organisations. These are also widely deployed in commercial and residential properties. The effects of Covid-19 globally continue to have a significant impact on the electronics industry as well, resulting in changes in consumer preferences over time. The changes in preferences, disposable income, and purchasing habits have added volatility in the global economy. This has led to uncertainty on the demand side in the internet protocol camera market.

Increased awareness in Asia Pacific markets

Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period, due to increasing awareness and adoption rate of network cameras. The impact of government legislation and investments also continues to boost the market growth in the region. There are several significant component providers in the area which dominates globally. For instance, in 2019, the Chinese police started the installation of new surveillance technology that helps the local authority identify potential suspects by their body language, and demeanor. The technology used by the Chinese police identifies individuals based on their body shape and movement from around a 50-metre distance. Government officials use advanced technology such as AI-based security solutions that help them improve their surveillance operations.

IP camera market – additional highlights 

•  In terms of components, the hardware segment accounted for the largest market share of over 76% in 2024, driven by advancements in imaging technology, AI-powered processors, and edge computing capabilities.

• The pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) product type segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, due to the growing need for dynamic and flexible surveillance solutions.

• By connection type, the consolidated segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024, driven by large-scale enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure facilities requiring integrated and high-performance surveillance solutions.

• The residential application segment is expected to register as the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, due to rising concerns over home security and the increasing adoption of smart home technologies.

Key players

The players recognised by the research as having a key role in this market include, Hikvision, Bosch, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Schneider Electric, Avigilon, Arecont Vision Costar, Vivotek, and Stealth Monitoring.