Powering Visual Intelligence Capabilities with Fiber
Robert Basile
Published: August 21, 2025
Visual Intelligence (VI) is here, and it’s transforming the way we interact with the world. From public safety and security to manufacturing and autonomous driving, VI is reshaping industries. But for VI to reach its full potential, it needs a robust infrastructure capable of handling massive amounts of data. With its high bandwidth, power, and reliability over long distancing—fiber optic cables are key to unlocking the potential of VI.
Transforming security: From reactive to proactive monitoring
Reactive monitoring, where alarms sound and humans manually review footage to identify issues, is becoming a thing of the past. Visual Intelligence (VI) takes security systems to the next level by enabling them to proactively detect and respond to threats without the need for user interaction. Unlike traditional security cameras that simply record video footage, VI-powered systems operate autonomously, analyzing the environment and making real-time decisions to address potential risks before they escalate. The need for these proactive capabilities were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote monitoring became essential, as there were fewer people on-site and organizations needed a way to keep an eye on unoccupied areas. It hastened the evolution of security cameras from passive recording devices into intelligent sensors with more capabilities, such as reading license plate numbers or detecting smoke and open doors. Now, if a door is left open or a person enters a restricted area, the system can automatically alert security personnel, without the need for manual intervention – greatly increasing response time.
The growing awareness of security risks is driving an increased demand for advanced solutions, while technological advancements—such as ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution, computer vision technologies like thermal imaging, and AI and machine learning—are enhancing decision-making capabilities and reshaping the industry. It’s all adding up to an important moment for companies who rely on cameras for security and operational efficiency.
Compared to simple streaming capabilities, using cameras as sensors that feed data into a centralized system and make AI-driven decisions requires higher bandwidth and faster transmission speeds. With fiber optic cabling, these systems can transmit vast amounts of data in real time ensuring rapid response and enhanced security.
Fiber optic cabling, specifically Corning’s ActiFi® hybrid cable, ensures that data from cameras and sensors can be transmitted quickly and reliably, even over long distances. This is especially important in large facilities where traditional copper cabling would struggle to deliver the necessary bandwidth and power. Traditionally, copper cabling could only support cameras within about a 300-foot radius. Fiber extends far beyond that distance, enabling monitoring in large or hard to reach locations, like college campuses, parking garages or concert venues.
Beyond security: Revolutionizing manufacturing and automation
While security is a major factor driving the evolution and adoption of VI, the technology is also driving transformation in industries like manufacturing and automation.
Manufacturing facilities can be massive, nearly the size of a small city, which makes them difficult to monitor. VI offers a way to monitor assembly lines, detect quality control issues, and even predict potential failures before they happen. For example, in a manufacturing plant, a VI-enabled camera can identify a misaligned part on a conveyor belt and trigger an immediate correction, preventing costly downtime. The ability to process and analyze visual data in real time is critical to achieving these efficiencies, and fiber optic cabling is key to ensuring data is transmitted quickly and reliably – even over long distances in large facilities.
Future-forward flexibility with fiber
VI technology is in its early stages, and as AI and machine learning evolve, we’ll see more and more use cases of VI – from autonomous vehicles to smart cities.
Fiber optic cabling plays a crucial role in ensuring that VI systems are future-forward. Unlike traditional copper cables, which have limitations in terms of bandwidth and distance, fiber optics offer virtually unlimited scalability. This makes them ideal for environments where infrastructure needs may change over time. For example, a parking garage initially equipped with VI cameras for security might later add Wi-Fi access points or electric vehicle charging stations. With a fiber optic infrastructure, these additions can be seamlessly integrated without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
Corning’s FiberVision™ long-reach fiber solutions are a prime example of this flexibility. This cost-effective and scalable connectivity solution combines a fiber optic cable infrastructure, intelligent remote power, and connectivity at the edge of the to meet ever-increasing network demands. By delivering both bandwidth and power over long distances, FiberVision™ enables VI systems to operate in remote or hard-to-reach locations, such as college campuses, concert venues, or airport jet bridges.
VI is more than just a trend; it’s a massive shift in how we monitor spaces. From proactive security systems to intelligent manufacturing and beyond, VI is driving innovation across industries. But to fully realize its potential, businesses need an infrastructure that can keep up. Fiber optic cabling is the key to unlocking the power of VI, providing the bandwidth, speed, and flexibility needed to support today’s applications and tomorrow’s innovations.
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