VIDEO GUARD: Efficient Construction Site Monitoring with IoT and AI

Construction sites may not seem attractive at first glance. During the day, they generate noise and dust, and after hours, the bare structures and piles of materials are hardly inviting. However, they present lucrative targets for thieves: construction vehicles, tools, and materials.  

Construction site theft as a growing risk

According to a 2024 survey, eight out of ten construction sites experienced theft. Copper is a frequent target, but machinery and delivery vans also regularly disappear overnight. Experts estimate annual losses from theft and vandalism at €80 million. Moreover, 43 percent of projects are delayed due to site crime; a quarter of respondents reported delays of up to four weeks.  

With IoT trackers can help recover stolen equipment, it’s even better if nothing is stolen or damaged in the first place. Traditional security services are costly, and even the best guard can’t be everywhere on a large site. This is where Sweden-headquartered company VIDEO GUARD (see Infobox) comes in with its video surveillance solutions. 

The system consists of mobile camera towers that can be flexibly positioned on construction sites. Each tower is equipped with multiple high-resolution cameras with up to 180 -degree coverage with no blind spots. Infrared spotlights ensure comprehensive monitoring even in darkness, and some models feature thermal imaging cameras. Private areas can be masked in the video feed to ensure data privacy. 

AI-powered detection and real-time response 

When a camera detects unusual movement on the site, machine learning algorythms first checks whether it’s a potential thief, an unknown vehicle, a trespasser, or just a fox. This helps eliminate false alarms. If a suspicious event is detected, relevant video sequences are transmitted to the cloud for further analysis by more powerful AI systems.  

If a genuine alarm is confirmed, live images and analysis results are sent to the 24/7 control center in Germany. Staff can monitor the situation in real time and intervene directly. Once they assess the situation critical, they can communicate with the intruder via the integrated loudspeakers on the camera tower, instructing them to leave the premises—at up to 120 decibels. This early intervention helps deter offenders and prevent further damage. Simultaneously, the control center can alert the police or security services. 

VIDEO GUARD uses an integrated wireless module for encrypted, GDPR-compliant transmission of video data. “Transmitting large volumes of video data is becoming increasingly important for construction site security,” says  Joern Windler, President Smart Surveillance at VIDEO GUARD. “Thanks to Telekom’s powerful infrastructure, we can scale our solutions flexibly and ensure a stable connection at all times.” The partnership with Telekom enables VIDEO GUARD to use 4G/5G mobile networks, ensuring high data throughput and transmission security.  

“Local breakouts” are especially important: video data is processed directly in Germany, avoiding routing through foreign networks. This reduces latency and minimizes packet loss—crucial for real-time monitoring. “Telekom is able to transmit large data volumes reliably and securely,” says Windler. “That’s essential for monitoring and analyzing video data on construction sites.” Telekom’s M2M SIM cards automatically connect to the best available network and offer options such as assigning unique IP addresses to each camera tower and targeted data stream management. 

VIDEO GUARD's technology is not limited to construction sites. Mobile video surveillance towers are increasingly used in other areas, such as securing car dealerships, logistics centers, solar parks, events, and critical infrastructure. Flexible IoT connectivity and scalable data processing allow security solutions to be tailored to various requirements. Future projects by VIDEO GUARD and Telekom focus on advancing AI-driven analysis, integrating new sensor technology, and expanding into international markets. These developments are paving the way for innovative security concepts that deliver reliable protection even in complex and dynamic environments, setting the stage for the next generation of smart monitoring solutions.