Case Study

Students in Unite accommodation have reported safety concerns due to rough sleeping near building entrances, which has affected their sense of comfort and security. To address this, Orbis has trialled its AI-enabled RapidCam solution, integrated with the Orbis AI Portal, at a key student site.

RapidCam uses advanced video analytics and contextual AI to monitor entrances in real time, detecting patterns of rough sleeping or loitering that may impact student wellbeing, helping to create a safer and more supportive living environment.

Meeting our customers’ needs

Students living in temporary accommodation have been facing ongoing issues with rough sleeping around the entrances to their buildings. This situation has led to growing concerns about safety and personal security, particularly during evening hours. The presence of individuals sleeping near entry points can make some students feel uneasy or vulnerable when returning to their accommodation, impacting their overall sense of comfort and wellbeing.

The issue also raises broader considerations around access, safeguarding, and the need for a supportive and respectful environment for all.

Providing real solutions

To resolve this issue, we launched a trial deployment of our AI-enabled RapidCam solution, fully integrated with the Orbis AI Portal, at one of the University’s key student accommodation sites. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance safety, comfort, and situational awareness across the campus environment.

RapidCam combines advanced video analytics with contextual AI to monitor building entrances and surrounding areas for indicators of rough sleeping or loitering – issues that can raise safety concerns and affect student wellbeing. The system operates in real-time, continuously analysing activity patterns and identifying behaviours that may require attention.

Orbis AI in action

  • When potential incidents are detected, real-time alerts are automatically sent to the University’s on-site security team.
  • This ensures a rapid, informed, and proportionate response, improving overall incident resolution.
  • The system reduces reliance on reactive reporting from students or staff, easing pressure on both groups.
  • By proactively identifying and addressing concerns, it supports a safer, more welcoming environment.
  • The approach strikes a balance between security, compassion, and operational insight, aligning with the University’s duty of care.

Just one week into the trial, the system is already demonstrating strong progress supporting:

  • Identifying and resolving potential issues more quickly
  • Reducing the burden on both students and staff
  • Improving visibility of site activity and response patterns

Key Benefits

  • Proactive detection and automatic escalation to on-site security
  • Enhanced safety for students and residents
  • Minimal disruption to daily site operations
  • Scalable deployment potential across other accommodation sites

Results that matter

Following the promising results of the initial trial, we continue to monitor system performance in close collaboration with our customer. For the next phase, we plan to introduce our AI Siren – a smart audio solution that pairs seamlessly with RapidCam and the Orbis AI Platform. It delivers tailored audible messages based on the type of activity detected and the associated risk profile.

This trial marks an important step forward in AI-driven technology to enhance student safety and site management in a proactive, respectful, and data-informed way. By combining intelligent detection with real-time response capabilities, Orbis AI has already demonstrated clear value in its ability to identify issues early, reduce reliance on manual reporting, and support a safer, more secure environment.

Our early results reinforce the potential of this approach to deliver long-term impact while aligning with the client’s duty of care and operational goals.