Anyvision / Oosto

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Also Operates in:
France, Israel, Japan

Main Products:

SesaMe, Abraxas

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Anyvision / Oosto

In November 2021 Anyvision changed its name to Oosto.[1]Visual AI Company AnyVision Changes its Name to Oosto

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General Information

Founded in 2015, the Israeli company AnyVision, based in Herzeliya, develops software for real-time face and object recognition in large crowds, using AI and machine learning algorithms. The company’s technology can interface with security cameras for security at airports and stadiums, also offering service to the private sector, including retailers.[2]Face Recognition Startup AnyVision to Deploy Thermal Cameras at Tel Aviv Hospital

With offices in Tel Aviv, New York, Mexico, London, Belfast and Singapore, the company has quickly gained investments, contracts and joint ventures with the Israeli military, governments and companies internationally.[3]Israeli facial recognition co AnyVision raises $43m AnyVision promotes itself as a company of “AI Designers & Security Veterans” with over 20 years of “field experience”.[4]Oosto About as AnyVision president, Amir Kain, is former head of the security department at Israel’s Ministry of Defense. One of its advisers, Tamir Pardo, is former head of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. CEO of AnyVision since November 2020 is Avi Golan.[5]AnyVision Appoints Silicon Valley Tech Veteran Avi Golan as Its New CEO

AnyVision has developed ‘ Better Tomorrow ’ which is the world’s most advanced Tactical Surveillance System (T.S.S) for real time face recognition that uses deep learning algorithms to detect, track and recognize a Person of Interest (POI) at any given time and scene, with a 99% accuracy rate. Simultaneously analyzes multiple live video streams from various sources such as CCTV cameras, wearable or mobile cameras.[6]Export Gov Israel : Anyvision

In 2019, Anyvision filed a patent application on the ” “adaptative positioning of drones for enhanced face
recognition.”[7]United States Patent and Trademark Office – adaptative positioning of drones for enhanced face recognition

International Usage

The company’s software has been installed in over 100,000 cameras, in 43 countries as part of some 350 projects. The software operates on real-time scanning and cross-analysis of data collected from various sources, including open-source data collection. Anyvision was reportedly operating among others in: France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and Israel.

Russia

Among others, the company sells its technology to state actors in Russia.[8]Microsoft-backed facial recognition firm rethinks its role in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Anyvision was expanding its operations in Hong Kong in the summer of 2019, as facial recognition technologies were documented being used to repress protests there.[9]Microsoft-backed facial recognition firm rethinks its role in Hong Kong

USA

The U.S. Navy also bought AnyVision’s technology in 2019[10]USA Spending GOV – Anyvision for Department of Defense, and the company’s CEO said the company employs lobbyists in the U.S. Congress to “explain why artificial intelligence is a good thing.”[11]This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians

Forbes reported in 2022 that Oosto’s technology is being used at casinos in the US.[12]Oosto snoops on Casinos across the US

Europe

Spanish telecommunications transnational Telefónica[13]AnyVision and Telefónica announce integration partnership and G4S[14]Oosto announce partnership with G4S also use AnyVision’s technology.

The city of Nice[15]New Surveillance Technologies in Public Spaces [16]A facial recognition experiment during the Carnival of Nice, France, surveilled citizens with AnyVision and the entry to the London stadium was surveilled by AnyVision in 2019.[17]AnyVision facial recognition to provide ticketless entry at London stadium this summer In 2018 Anyvision took part in a pilot project in a train station in Berlin to monitor travelers.[18]Surveillance laboratory Südkreuz/

In 2019 Waltham Forest Council in London, UK, carried out a three day Live Facial Recognition (LFR) trial. The technology for the trial was provided free of charge by AnyVision.[19]London council used facial recognition technology on streets without consulting residents

In 2019 the German manufacturer Dallmeier integrated AnyVision facial recognition into its “HEMISPHERE” software platform for security and business. As to EDRi (European Digitial Rights) Dallmeier also provides authorities with its software. ‘HEMISPHERE’ is its principle analytic technology and is present in its live-analysis capable cameras.[20]EDRI : the rise and rise of Biometric Mass Surveillance in the EU

In July 2020 the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona decided to operate Anyvision’s biometric facial recognition camera system in 40 stores in Costa Blanca, Mallorca and Zaragoza to block access to people who are not allowed to enter the store or be near employees.[21]AnyVision biometrics rolled out in Spanish supermarkets, CMO answers bias concerns

Japan

In 2019 Anyvision partnered with the Konica Minolta Business Innovation Center (BIC) from Japan and Mobotix from Germany to develop a new biometric facial recognition solution to be embedded into IoT smart cameras. Facial recognition software from AnyVision will be integrated with the Mobotix 7 app platform for Mobotix cameras, and by performing local biometric matching eliminates costly server overhead, improves data privacy and eases deployment, according to the announcement.[22]AnyVision, Mobotix and Konica Minolta partner for edge facial recognition IoT cameras

Acquisitions / Subsidiaries / Fundings

In March 2020 Microsoft Corp decided it would sell its stake in AnyVision and said it no longer would make minority investments in companies that sell facial recognition technology. Microsoft came under scrutiny in 2019 for participating in a $74 million funding round for AnyVision. Microsoft hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and a team from Covington & Burling to investigate claims, that Anyvision’s technlogoy was used to surveil Palestinians in the West Bank.[23]Microsoft to divest AnyVision stake, end face recognition investing

In September 2020 AnyVision has announced that it has raised $43 million from existing investors including investment funds and private investors.[24]Israeli facial recognition co AnyVision raises $43m AnyVision has raised a total of $117M in funding, to the date of December 2020. AnyVision is funded by seven investors, among them: DFJ Growth, Eldridge, Qualcomm Ventures, M12, Bosch, OG Technology Partners.[25]Crunchbase : Anyvision Information

Partners of AnyVision, as listed on their website are: Nvidia, Bosch, Bank Hapoalim, Orion, Synetics, Telefonica, Honeywell, Axis, Genetec, Indigivisions, Johnson Controls, Milestone.[26]Oosto official website

In July 2021 Anyvision announced that it has secured $235 million in new investments from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Eldridge with further participation from existing investors. Furthermore, uo increase its market reach, AnyVision has forged strategic relationships with several key partners in the security market, including Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Boon Edam, Ambarella, and Nvidia.[27]SoftBank leads $235M round in AnyVision’s AI recognition tech

Anyvision has offices in: Tel Aviv, New York, Mexico, London, Belfast and Singapore.[28]Oosto official website

SightX

In September 2020 the defense electronics company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and the shareholders of AnyVision set up a joint venture in the military-defense sector. The new company, named SightX is jointly owned 50-50 by AnyVision’s shareholders and Rafael.[29]Rafael, AnyVision shareholders in talks on facial recognition JV  In December 2020 SightX announced the development of mini UAVs that will use AI-recognition technology to spot armed persons inside of buildings.[30]Sight X : Drones fly inside building with Facial Recognition Tech Rafael organized a demonstration of the technology, including commercial drones and a dog-like robot, shown to defense and security clients from around the world.[31]Biometrics planned for AnyVision JV’s first drones for military use

In May 2022, the Israeli company Xtend announced a partnership with SightX. Xtend is developing autonomus drone systems for armies and security forces. SightX’ technology “EDGE AI” will be operated in the browser-system of Extend and is planned to give a solution for intelligence operations, surveillance and the involvement of drone platforms from robotic combat vehicles (RCV).[32]Xtend announced partnership with Easy Arial and SightX

Main Products

Better Tomorrow: An automated watchlist alerting system that identifies persons of interest and their contact history in real-time and historically.

SesaMe: A customer onboarding and authentication SDK.

Abraxas: A touchless access control solution that uses facial recognition to open guarded points of entry for authorized people.

Use by Israeli Forces and Authorities

AnyVision plays a direct role in Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, which includes Israel’s illegal wall and military checkpoints. According to the Israeli army, AnyVision is part of a “program to upgrade” military checkpoints in the West Bank through adding technology for new “identification and inspection stations”. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has learned that Anyvision is taking part in two special projects in assisting the Israeli army in the West Bank.[33]This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians One involves a system that it has installed at army checkpoints that thousands of Palestinians pass through each day on their way to work from the West Bank. The product lets the army quickly identify whether the person passing through has an Israeli work permit, thereby shortening the wait at the border.[34]This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians

Anyvision also maintains cameras for the Israeli military deep inside the West Bank to spy on Palestinians and enable the Israeli military’s illegal targeting of civilians.[35]This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians

In April 2020, Anyvision deployed thermal cameras at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital). The cameras can measure body temperature from a distance and are capable of determining whether a high temperature is caused by disease or by another cause such as physical activity.[36]Face Recognition Startup AnyVision to Deploy Thermal Cameras at Tel Aviv Hospital Media also reported that Anyvision installed facial recognition technology in Ichilov hospital for the surveillance of patients. Anyvision stated that the technology is only being tested there, but it is not clear if to date the system is still installed and operating there.[37]The Big Brother in Ichilov : Cameras will surveill patients

Anyvision’s product is also being used by the Israeli Bank “Bank Hapoalim” since 2018.[38]Israeli bank uses FR tech from Anyvision In November 2021, it was reported that a residential area in Tel Aviv, that includes four accommodation towers, restaurants, cafes, a country club and a mall, all of which use Anyvision’s (Oosto) face biometrics.[39]Facial recognition cameras make smart city areas feel safer in Israel and Mexico

In February 2022 it was reported that the Israeli logistics company Group 207 is using Oosto’s facial recognition among its video surveillance tools at the Port of Ashdod, a major seaport in Israel. It is used on truck drivers entering the port.[40]Oosto reveals seaport logistics deployment of facial recognition, explores video AI use cases

In 2022 it was announced by Oosto that Raphael Hospital in Israel implemented Oosto’s facial recognition technoligies to secure sensitive areas.[41]Raphael Hospital Implements Oosto’s Vision AI Technology to Secure Sensitive Areas

For more information about the company’s involvement in the Israeli occupation, you may visit Who Profits. More information about the company and its financial profile, as well as investors, can be found at Investigate.

References
1 Visual AI Company AnyVision Changes its Name to Oosto
2 Face Recognition Startup AnyVision to Deploy Thermal Cameras at Tel Aviv Hospital
3 Israeli facial recognition co AnyVision raises $43m
4 Oosto About as
5 AnyVision Appoints Silicon Valley Tech Veteran Avi Golan as Its New CEO
6 Export Gov Israel : Anyvision
7 United States Patent and Trademark Office – adaptative positioning of drones for enhanced face recognition
8 Microsoft-backed facial recognition firm rethinks its role in Hong Kong
9 Microsoft-backed facial recognition firm rethinks its role in Hong Kong
10 USA Spending GOV – Anyvision for Department of Defense
11 This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians
12 Oosto snoops on Casinos across the US
13 AnyVision and Telefónica announce integration partnership
14 Oosto announce partnership with G4S
15 New Surveillance Technologies in Public Spaces
16 A facial recognition experiment during the Carnival of Nice
17 AnyVision facial recognition to provide ticketless entry at London stadium this summer
18 Surveillance laboratory Südkreuz/
19 London council used facial recognition technology on streets without consulting residents
20 EDRI : the rise and rise of Biometric Mass Surveillance in the EU
21 AnyVision biometrics rolled out in Spanish supermarkets, CMO answers bias concerns
22 AnyVision, Mobotix and Konica Minolta partner for edge facial recognition IoT cameras
23 Microsoft to divest AnyVision stake, end face recognition investing
24 Israeli facial recognition co AnyVision raises $43m
25 Crunchbase : Anyvision Information
26 Oosto official website
27 SoftBank leads $235M round in AnyVision’s AI recognition tech
28 Oosto official website
29 Rafael, AnyVision shareholders in talks on facial recognition JV
30 Sight X : Drones fly inside building with Facial Recognition Tech
31 Biometrics planned for AnyVision JV’s first drones for military use
32 Xtend announced partnership with Easy Arial and SightX
33 This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians
34 This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians
35 This Israeli Face-recognition Startup Is Secretly Tracking Palestinians
36 Face Recognition Startup AnyVision to Deploy Thermal Cameras at Tel Aviv Hospital
37 The Big Brother in Ichilov : Cameras will surveill patients
38 Israeli bank uses FR tech from Anyvision
39 Facial recognition cameras make smart city areas feel safer in Israel and Mexico
40 Oosto reveals seaport logistics deployment of facial recognition, explores video AI use cases
41 Raphael Hospital Implements Oosto’s Vision AI Technology to Secure Sensitive Areas