SEERS · Project

Cost-Effective Infrared Camera That Sees Through Fog, Smoke, and Rain

digitalPilotedTRL 7

Imagine a security camera that doesn't just record video — it can see heat signatures across a huge range of infrared light, from near-infrared all the way to thermal. That means it works in fog, rain, smoke, and even total darkness. SEERS built a compact, affordable version of this kind of camera and added smart software that can automatically detect gas leaks, spills, and fires with accurate temperature readings. They proved it works in real conditions by testing it in coastal areas and tunnels.

By the numbers

0.7-14 µm

Infrared wavelength range covered by the multispectral imager

EUR 3,750,535

EU contribution to develop the technology

Consortium partners across 6 countries

TRL 7

Technology readiness level — demonstrated in operational environment

Real-world demonstration scenarios (coastal and tunnel)

The business problem

What needed solving

Traditional security cameras fail in poor visibility — fog, rain, smoke, and darkness create dangerous blind spots for critical infrastructure monitoring. Existing infrared solutions that work in these conditions are bulky, expensive, and require specialized cooling systems, putting them out of reach for many operators. Facilities like tunnels, coastal installations, and chemical plants need affordable, persistent surveillance that works regardless of weather or atmospheric conditions.

The solution

What was built

SEERS delivered a compact, cost-effective multispectral infrared camera covering 0.7-14 µm with embedded video analytics, reaching TRL 7 with a public prototype demonstrated in operational environments. The system includes redesigned microbolometer sensor arrays, multi-aperture spectral optics, embedded image processing, and intelligent video analytics for automatic detection of gas leaks, spills, and fires.

Audience

Who needs this

Oil refinery and chemical plant safety managers needing gas leak and spill detectionTunnel operators and highway authorities requiring all-weather surveillancePort authorities and coastal security agencies monitoring in maritime conditionsCritical infrastructure protection teams at power plants and industrial facilitiesSmart city planners deploying persistent urban surveillance networks

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Oil, Gas & Chemical Processing

enterprise

Target: Petrochemical plant operators and refinery managers

If you are a refinery or chemical plant operator dealing with the risk of undetected gas leaks, spills, or fires in hard-to-monitor areas — this project developed a compact infrared multispectral camera covering 0.7-14 µm that can discriminate gas types, detect spills, and measure fire temperatures accurately, even through fumes and poor visibility. It was demonstrated at TRL 7 in real operational conditions.

Transport Infrastructure

enterprise

Target: Tunnel management and highway safety operators

If you are a tunnel or transport infrastructure operator struggling with visibility-related safety incidents — SEERS built an intelligent surveillance system that works reliably through smoke, fog, and variable lighting. It was specifically demonstrated in tunnel surveillance scenarios and uses event-driven smart analytics to flag incidents automatically, reducing the need for constant human monitoring of camera feeds.

Port & Coastal Security

enterprise

Target: Port authorities and coastal surveillance agencies

If you are a port authority or coastal security operator dealing with unreliable camera performance in maritime weather conditions like fog and rain — this project delivered a cost-effective IR imaging system tested in real coastal surveillance scenarios. The multispectral approach covering 0.7-14 µm enables persistent monitoring regardless of visibility, with embedded video analytics for smart networked operation across 9 consortium partners from 6 countries.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much would this IR surveillance system cost compared to current solutions?

The project's core goal was to deliver a 'compact and cost-effective IR imager.' While specific pricing is not published in the project data, the design uses microbolometer arrays rather than expensive cooled detectors, and multi-aperture optics to reduce component costs. The EUR 3,750,535 EU investment across 9 partners suggests significant R&D went into cost reduction.

Can this scale to cover a large facility or network of sites?

Yes. The system was designed for 'smart networked operation' with event-driven processing, meaning multiple cameras can work together across a site. Embedded processing handles video analytics locally, reducing bandwidth needs. It was demonstrated in two different real-world scenarios — coastal and tunnel surveillance — proving adaptability across environments.

Who owns the intellectual property and can I license this technology?

The IP is shared among the 9-partner consortium led by ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTE in Spain. With 5 industry partners including 3 SMEs, there is strong commercial motivation to license or productize. Contact the coordinator through SciTransfer to discuss licensing terms.

What weather and environmental conditions can this system handle?

The system was specifically engineered for robustness in variable visibility conditions. The project data confirms it handles fog, rain, and fumes. The 0.7-14 µm infrared range means it operates across near-infrared to long-wave thermal, providing imaging capability regardless of lighting or atmospheric conditions.

Has this been tested in real-world conditions or only in a lab?

This has been tested in real operational conditions, not just a lab. The prototype reached TRL 7, which means it was demonstrated in an operational environment. Two specific demonstration scenarios were completed: coastal surveillance and tunnel surveillance.

What specific hazards can the system detect automatically?

Based on the project objectives, the video analytics system can automatically detect and discriminate gas types with level determination, identify spills, and image fires and bursts with accurate temperature measurement. The event-driven operation means it alerts operators only when something is detected, rather than requiring constant monitoring.

Does this comply with EU surveillance and data protection regulations?

The project was funded under EU Horizon 2020 (ICT-26-2014) and completed in 2018. Based on available project data, specific GDPR compliance details are not documented in the deliverables. Any deployment would need to address current privacy regulations, which SciTransfer can help navigate during the technology transfer process.

Consortium

Who built it

The SEERS consortium is well-structured for commercialization with 9 partners across 6 countries (Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, UK). The 56% industry ratio — 5 industry partners including 3 SMEs — signals strong commercial intent rather than a purely academic exercise. The coordinator, ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTE in Spain, is a research association, while the 2 universities and 2 research organizations provide the scientific foundation. The geographic spread across major European markets gives the technology multiple entry points for deployment.

ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTECoordinator · ES
QUEST PHOTONIC DEVICES BVparticipant · NL
FUNDACION CENTRO TECNOLOXICO DE TELECOMUNICACIONS DE GALICIAparticipant · ES
THALES ITALIA SPAparticipant · IT
NEW INFRARED TECHNOLOGIES SLparticipant · ES
AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SASparticipant · FR
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOWparticipant · UK
MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITYparticipant · TR

How to reach the team

The coordinator is ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTE in Spain. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to discuss licensing or technology transfer.

Order a report on this consortium See ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how SEERS infrared surveillance technology could solve your monitoring challenges? Contact SciTransfer for a detailed technology brief and introduction to the development team.

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