AI Software Can Catch Shoplifters Before They Steal 智能软件不等下手就能识别偷窃者

在汤姆·克鲁斯主演的电影《少数派报告》中，警方利用超能力人预知犯罪的发生，并提前逮捕罪犯。这种科幻情节如今已经接近现实。

A Japanese tech startup claims to have developed an artificial intelligence software that analyzes surveillance camera footage in order to detect suspicious behavior and prevent shoplifting before it actually happens.

In 2002， when the movie Minority Report， starring Tom Cruise， came out， the concept of preventing a future crime was nothing more than a cool sci-fi idea， but thanks to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence， we already have an early version of the technology displayed in that movie.

VaakEye， an AI software developed by Japanese startup Vaak， can allegedly detect shoplifting before it occurs by analyzing surveillance camera footage for discrete suspicious movements and behaviors of people caught in the cameras field of view. If the algorithm decides that there is a high-enough probability of a person shoplifting， it sends an alert via a smartphone app so the crime can be prevented.

VaakEye first made news headlines back in December 2018 when it picked up on previously undetected shoplifting activity at a convenience store in Yokohama.

“I thought then， ‘Ah， at last！” Vaak founder Ryo Tanaka recalled about the first time VaakEye helped detect shoplifting intentions. “We took an important step closer to a society where crime can be prevented with AI.”

VaakEye is based on a complex algorithm that harnesses deep learning from more than 100，000 hours of surveillance footage and analyzes over 100 different factors， from a persons face， clothes， movement， overall behavior， to macro-data like crime incidence in the area the shop is located in， or current weather conditions.

This new shoplifting-prevention software has reportedly helped detect at least 7 shoplifters in tests performed as of December 12th last year， and is credited with reducing shoplifting cases by 75%， according to IT Media.

However， VaakEye is not intended to help police catch shoplifters after theyve committed the crime， but rather help business owners prevent the crime from being committed. Theoretically， shop staff can approach suspicious subjects after receiving an alert from the software and ask if they need some help. This should discourage suspected shoplifters from going ahead with their plans.

日本一家科技初創企业声称研发出了一款人工智能软件。该软件能够通过分析监控摄像头拍下的视频画面识别出可疑行为，在小偷下手前就对其加以阻止。

2002年，汤姆·克鲁斯主演的电影《少数派报告》上映，当时预知犯罪不过是个科幻概念，但随着人工智能的迅猛发展，如今电影中展现的技术在现实中已经初见雏形。

日本初创企业Vaak研发的软件VaakEye据称可以通过分析监控范围内摄像头拍下的视频中不连续的可疑动作和行为，在盗窃行为发生前，对其进行识别。如果算法认定某个人偷窃的可能性足够高，就会通过智能手机应用发送警报以阻止犯罪。

VaakEye首次登上新闻头条是在2018年12月，当时该软件在横滨的一家便利店发现了此前未被察觉到的偷窃行为。

Vaak公司的创始人田中亮回忆起VaakEye软件第一次帮助识别偷窃意图时说道：“我那时候想，终于做到了！我们距离用人工智能预防犯罪的社会又近了一大步。”

VaakEye软件基于一种复杂算法，该算法对超10万个小时的监控视频进行了深度学习，分析了100多种不同因素，从一个人的脸、服装、动作、整体行为，到商店所在地区的犯罪率或当下天气条件等宏观数据。

据IT Media报道，截至2018年12月12日的测试期间，这款新的防盗软件已经帮助识别出至少7名小偷，并使盗窃案数量降低了75%。

但是，VaakEye软件的目的不是为了在小偷盗窃后帮助警察抓住罪犯，而是帮助店主防止盗窃发生。从理论上来讲，店主可以在软件上收到警报后接近可疑人员并询问他们是否需要帮助。这样应该可以阻止嫌疑人继续实施犯罪计划。

Word Study

rapid /'r?p?d/ adj. 迅速的;快速的

The disease is spreading at a rapid rate.

recall /r?'k??l/ v. 记忆起;回想起

He recalled that she always came home late on Wednesdays.

complex /'k?mpleks/ adj. 复杂的;费解的

We have language and use it to express complex ideas.

commit /k?'m?t/ v.犯（罪或错等）

I dont believe that only tough guys commit crimes.