AI-Driven, All-Weather, Always On: Our SURICATE Is a Game-Changer in MENA
In a conversation with a&s Middle East, Walid Lahoud, MENA Regional Sales Director at ATERMES, reveals how the AI-driven, all-weather SURICATE Smart Surveillance System is setting new standards in MENA security through advanced threat detection and adaptability to challenging environments.
By: Orhan Hadžagić
E-mail: orhan.hadzagic@asmideast.com
a&s Middle East: Could you tell us about the key features of the SURICATE Smart Surveillance System and what sets it apart in the security industry?
Lahoud: The SURICATE Smart Surveillance System is an advanced, multispectral surveillance solution designed to meet the high demands of modern security needs. Key features include AI-driven threat detection, multispectral imaging, edge computing, and adaptability to a wide range of applications. SURICATE can detect, classify, and track threats in real time, from intrusions at critical infrastructures to drone and vehicle identification. Its ability to learn and adapt to specific environments makes it highly effective and tailored for diverse scenarios. What sets it apart is its intelligence and flexibility, capable of providing 24/7 surveillance in all weather conditions, making it a game-changer in security technology.
a&s Middle East: How does the integration of AI and edge computing in SURICATE enhance real-time threat detection?
Lahoud: The integration of AI and edge computing allows SURICATE to analyze data on-site, providing instant results and minimizing the need for external networks. With AI, SURICATE can learn from its environment, identifying and classifying objects, distinguishing between actual threats and benign activities, and even recognizing unusual patterns. Edge computing enables this analysis to happen in real time, reducing latency and making the system highly responsive. This combination makes SURICATE especially effective for mission-critical situations where speed and accuracy are paramount.
Dubai is strategically positioned as a business and innovation hub for the Middle East and North Africa, making it an ideal location for ATERMES’ MENA headquarters
a&s Middle East: SURICATE is designed to operate 24/7 in all weather conditions. What technological innovations enable this level of resilience?
Lahoud: SURICATE’s resilience is achieved through multispectral imaging technology, which allows it to capture high-quality data in various weather and lighting conditions. The system includes thermal and optical cooled sensors that work together to provide clear visibility in fog, rain, low light, and extreme temperatures. Its hardware is ruggedized to endure challenging environmental conditions, including dust and vibration. Additionally, SURICATE’s software is equipped with adaptive algorithms that automatically adjust to different environmental factors, ensuring consistent performance around the clock. It is classified IP67
a&s Middle East: How is SURICATE tailored to handle different types of detection, such as for aircraft, drones, and vehicles?
Lahoud: SURICATE’s modular design and customizable AI algorithms make it versatile enough to handle diverse detection requirements. It can be equipped with radar, thermal, and optical sensors to detect objects at various distances, altitudes, and speeds. The AI is capable of recognizing specific attributes associated with different types of objects, whether it’s the flight pattern of a drone, the speed and shape of a vehicle, or the altitude of an aircraft. This allows SURICATE to be configured to meet the specific needs of each operational environment, whether for border security, urban monitoring, or anti-drone applications.
The Middle East and Africa face significant security challenges, including border protection, critical infrastructure security, and the rising threat of drones and other unmanned systems
a&s Middle East: What was the strategic thinking behind establishing ATERMES’ new MENA headquarters in Dubai?
Lahoud: Dubai is strategically positioned as a business and innovation hub for the Middle East and North Africa, making it an ideal location for ATERMES’ MENA headquarters. By establishing a presence here, we are closer to our key markets, allowing us to respond faster to customer needs and to better understand regional challenges. The UAE’s focus on technology, security, and innovation aligns well with ATERMES’ mission, and Dubai offers us a platform to strengthen partnerships, enhance our customer support, and expand our regional influence.
a&s Middle East: How will the Dubai headquarters strengthen ATERMES’ ability to serve customers and partners in the region?
Lahoud: The Dubai headquarters enables us to deliver localized support and maintain closer relationships with our customers and partners. This office will serve as a central base for training, maintenance, and deployment, allowing us to provide faster and more personalized service. Additionally, being present in Dubai helps us understand the unique security concerns in the MENA region, which allows us to tailor our offerings and develop solutions that are directly aligned with the needs of our regional clients.
a&s Middle East: In your view, what are the most pressing security challenges in the Middle East and Africa, and how does ATERMES plan to address them?
Lahoud: The Middle East and Africa face significant security challenges, including border protection, critical infrastructure security, and the rising threat of drones and other unmanned systems. These challenges are compounded by vast geographical areas and harsh environments. ATERMES is addressing these issues through solutions like SURICATE, which offers high reliability, real-time threat detection, and adaptability to different terrains and climates. By working closely with regional partners, we ensure that our solutions are well-suited to tackle these pressing challenges effectively.
a&s Middle East: Can you elaborate on ATERMES’ approach to building and maintaining trust with its partners and customers?
Lahoud: Building trust is a cornerstone of ATERMES’ approach, achieved through transparency, reliability, and continuous engagement with our partners and customers. We believe in open communication, working closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and challenges. We also offer comprehensive training and support, ensuring that our partners are fully equipped to leverage our technology. By delivering on our promises and fostering strong, long-term relationships, we maintain a high level of trust and mutual respect with all our stakeholders.
a&s Middle East: How does ATERMES envision its role at Milipol Qatar 2024, and what impact do you hope to achieve?
Lahoud: At Milipol Qatar 2024, ATERMES aims to showcase our advancements in smart surveillance and engage with industry leaders and security experts from across the region. We see this event as an opportunity to highlight the capabilities of SURICATE and to demonstrate how our solutions can address specific security needs in the MENA region. We hope to strengthen existing partnerships, establish new connections, and position ATERMES as a leader in cutting-edge surveillance technology, ultimately expanding our impact in the regional security landscape.
a&s Middle East: What are some security trends or emerging technologies that you believe will shape the future of surveillance in the region?
Lahoud: Key trends in surveillance include the rise of AI-driven threat detection, multispectral imaging, and edge computing for real-time data processing. Autonomous and drone countermeasure technologies are also becoming critical, especially as drones are increasingly used in security breaches. At ATERMES, we are committed to integrating these technologies into our solutions, ensuring that systems like SURICATE remain at the forefront of innovation and can address evolving threats in the region effectively.
SURICATE’s resilience is achieved through multispectral imaging technology, which allows it to capture high-quality data in various weather and lighting conditions
a&s Middle East: ATERMES has emphasized the importance of its skilled personnel. How does the team contribute to innovations like SURICATE?
Lahoud: Our team is essential to ATERMES’ innovation, bringing expertise in AI, engineering, optronics, and security. This collective skill set enables us to push the boundaries of what is possible in surveillance technology. Our team’s dedication to continuous improvement and collaborative development drives advancements in products like SURICATE. By fostering a culture of innovation, we empower our personnel to contribute their insights and ideas, which are crucial to creating solutions that meet our clients’ needs in dynamic environments.
a&s Middle East: How have AI workshops and training sessions helped ATERMES customers understand and benefit from SURICATE’s capabilities?
Lahoud: Our AI workshops and training sessions are designed to maximize our customers’ understanding of SURICATE’s capabilities. These sessions provide hands-on experience with the system’s features and allow users to see the power of AI in action, especially in real-time threat detection and classification. By building a strong knowledge foundation, we empower customers to leverage SURICATE’s full potential, enhancing the effectiveness of their security operations and building confidence in their use of the technology.
a&s Middle East: What advancements can we expect from ATERMES as it continues to grow in the Middle East and Africa?
Lahoud: As ATERMES expands in the Middle East and Africa, we plan to introduce further innovations in AI-based surveillance, drone detection and countermeasures, and integrated multispectral solutions. Our goal is to continue developing technologies that cater specifically to the unique security needs of this region. We also plan to establish more strategic partnerships, which will allow us to deliver even more tailored solutions and expand our footprint in these rapidly growing markets.
The integration of AI and edge computing allows SURICATE to analyze data on-site, providing instant results and minimizing the need for external networks
a&s Middle East: Could you share your vision for ATERMES’ growth over the next five years in this region?
Lahoud: Over the next five years, we envision ATERMES becoming a trusted name in security and surveillance across the Middle East and Africa. Our goal is to grow our regional presence, strengthen our partnerships, and continue adapting our products to address evolving security challenges. By focusing on innovation, localized support, and collaboration with regional partners, we aim to play a pivotal role in shaping the security landscape, ensuring that ATERMES remains a leader in advanced surveillance technology tailored for the MENA region.
