Autoscope Technologies Corporation (Autoscope) develops and markets video and radar processing products for use in applications, such as intersection control, highway, bridge and tunnel traffic management and traffic data collection. The company sells its products primarily to distributors and also receives royalties under a license agreement with a manufacturer/distributor for certain of its products. The company’s products are used primarily by governmental entities.
Autoscope creates value t...
Autoscope Technologies Corporation (Autoscope) develops and markets video and radar processing products for use in applications, such as intersection control, highway, bridge and tunnel traffic management and traffic data collection. The company sells its products primarily to distributors and also receives royalties under a license agreement with a manufacturer/distributor for certain of its products. The company’s products are used primarily by governmental entities.
Autoscope creates value through owning and supporting operating subsidiaries and investments, anchored by core investments in the fields of technology and engineering. Autoscope's main subsidiary is Image Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISNS).
ISNS is a global company committed to providing above-ground detection technology products for advanced traffic management systems, traffic data collection applications, and related markets. ISNS pioneered video image processing, also known as machine vision, for vehicle detection and continues to be an industry leader. ISNS's industry leading products include the Autoscope video or video products, RTMS radar or radar products (RTMS), and IntellitraffiQ, or iQ products, which provide end users with the tools needed to optimize traffic flow and enhance driver safety. ISNS's technology analyzes signals from sophisticated sensors and transmits the information to management systems and controllers or directly to users. ISNS's products provide end users with complete solutions for the intersection and transportation markets.
ISNS's technology is a process in which software, rather than humans, examines outputs from various types of sophisticated sensors to determine what is happening in a field of view. In the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry, this process is a critical component of managing congestion and traffic flow. Autoscope video products are marketed in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean through exclusive agreements with Econolite Control Products, Inc. (Econolite), which is the leading distributor of ITS intersection control products in these markets.
RTMS radar systems are marketed to a network of distributors globally. On a limited basis, the company may sell directly to the end user. Autoscope video products are marketed outside the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean through a combination of distribution and direct sales channels through its office in Spain. The company’s end users primarily include governmental agencies and municipalities.
With more than 140,000 installations in over 70 countries worldwide, ISNS remains dedicated to helping improve safety and efficiency for cities and highways by providing meaningful and reliable data through innovative technologies, applications, and solutions.
Growth Strategy
The key elements of the company’s strategy are to enhance and extend its technology leadership in ITS; expand into adjacent markets; increase the scope of its distribution and direct sales; and expand through strategic acquisitions and investments.
Products and Solutions
The company’s vehicle and traffic detection products are critical components of many ITS applications. The company’s Autoscope video systems and RTMS radar systems convert sensory input collected by video and radar modules into vehicle detection and traffic data used to operate, monitor and improve the efficiency and safety of roadway infrastructure. At the core of each product line are proprietary digital signal processing algorithms and sophisticated embedded software that analyze sensory input and deliver actionable data to integrated applications. The company’s digital signal processing software algorithms represent a foundation on which to support additional product development into the automatic incident detection (AID) market.
Autoscope Video: The company’s Autoscope video system processes video input from a traffic scene in real time and extracts the required traffic data, including vehicle presence, bicycle presence/differentiation, counts, speed, length, time occupancy (percent of time the detection zone is occupied), turning movements (quantifying the movement of vehicles) and flow rate (vehicles per hour per lane). Autoscope supports a variety of standard video cameras or can be purchased with an integrated high-definition video camera. For intersections, the system communicates with the intersection signal controller, which changes the traffic lights based on the data provided. The data may also be transmitted to a traffic management center via the internet or other standard communication means and processed in real time to assist in traffic management and stored for later analysis for traffic planning purposes.
The Autoscope system comes in two varieties. Autoscope Vision is the company’s flagship integrated product that includes a color high-definition, zoom camera and a machine vision processing computer contained in a compact housing that is its leading offering in the North American market. Autoscope Pn-520 is the company’s card-only machine vision processing computer that is located in an intersection signal controller, control hub, incident management center or traffic management center that receives video from a separate camera. The Pn-520 and its variants are the company’s top selling Autoscope products in international markets. Autoscope rack-based products offer digital MPEG-4 video streaming, high-speed Ethernet interface, web browser maintenance and data and video over power line communications. The Autoscope Vision product offers high definition streaming video, built-in WiFi for quick and easy setup, cost-effective three-wire cable, and full screen object detection and motion tracking algorithm technology for best in class detection accuracy.
RTMS Radar: The company’s RTMS radar systems use radar to measure vehicle presence, volume, occupancy, speed and classification information for roadway monitoring applications. Data is transmitted to a central computer at a traffic management center via standard communication means, including wireless. Data can be processed in real time to assist in traffic management and stored for later analysis for traffic planning purposes.
RTMS radar is an integrated radar transmitter/receiver and embedded processor contained in a compact, self-contained unit. The unit is typically situated on roadway poles and side-fired, making it especially well-suited for highway detection applications.
The RTMS radar system is available in different varieties which include the RTMS Sx-300 and the RTMS Echo. RTMS Sx-300 is a non-intrusive radar for the detection and measurement of traffic on roadways and is the company’s leading offering in both North America and the Middle East. The RTMS Sx-300 HDCAM has a high-definition camera that provides the user with visual setup confirmation, data capture and real-time traffic surveillance. The Sx-300 HDCAM has been deployed in North America for various applications, such as ramp metering and wrong way driver detection. The company also offers a wrong way module that interfaces with the Sx-300 HDCAM digital video stream and leverages its video detection algorithms to detect occurrences of vehicles driving in the incorrect direction. The event is captured and sent to the end users via short message service (SMS) and email in parallel with actuation or roadside or in-pavement warning systems. The RTMS Echo the company launched in 2020 is the culmination of a two-year development effort resulting in best in class per-vehicle speed calculation, Wi-Fi connectivity, the ability to store 1 million individual vehicle records, and a powerful application programming interface (API) that unlocks new insights and value for its customers. Designed and tested for global applicability, the Echo will become the flagship of the RTMS product portfolio for years to come.
IntellitraffiQ: The company’s IntellitraffiQ software provides traffic measurement and data collection across large and small areas. An enterprise-level system capable of monitoring traffic in hundreds of locations, IntellitraffiQ's simple yet powerful user interface helps traffic operation centers make decisions to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
IntellitraffiQ is available in an on-premise system that allows traffic managers the ability to monitor their network of sensors from one screen within the traffic management center. The IntellitraffiQ maps provide an interactive map of their sensor network, while displaying data coming directly from the sensors in the field.
Distribution, Sales and Marketing
The company markets and sells its products globally. Together with its partners, it offers a combination of high-performance detection technology and experienced local support. The company’s end users primarily consist of federal, state, city and county departments of transportation, port, highway, tunnel and other transportation authorities. The decision-makers within these entities typically are traffic planners and engineers, who in turn often rely on consulting firms that perform planning and feasibility studies. The company’s products sometimes are sold directly to system integrators or other suppliers of systems and services who are operating under subcontracts in connection with major road construction contracts.
Sales of Autoscope Video in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. The company has granted Econolite an exclusive right to manufacture, market and distribute the Autoscope video system in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. The agreement with Econolite grants it a first refusal right that arises when the company makes a proposal to Econolite to extend the license to additional products in the United States, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean and a first negotiation right that arises when it makes a proposal to Econolite to include rights corresponding to Econolite’s rights under its agreements in countries not in these territories. Econolite provides the marketing and technical support needed for its sales in these territories. Econolite pays the company a royalty on the revenue derived from its sales of the Autoscope system. The company provides second-tier technical support for Autoscope and video products. The company has the right to terminate its agreements with Econolite if it does not meet minimum annual sales levels or if Econolite fails to make payments as required by the agreements. In 2008, the term of the original agreement with Econolite, as amended, was extended to 2031. The agreement can be terminated by either party upon three years’ notice.
Sales of RTMS Radar in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. The company markets the RTMS radar systems to a network of distributors covering countries in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. On a limited basis, the company sells directly to the end user. The company provides technical support to these distributors from its various North American locations.
Sales in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company markets its Autoscope video and RTMS radar product lines of products to a network of distributors covering countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Spain. On a limited basis, the company sells directly to the end user. Technical support to these distributors is provided by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Spain, with second-tier support provided by its engineering groups. From time to time, the company may grant exclusive rights to Econolite for markets outside of its significant markets for certain jurisdictions or product sales based on facts and circumstances related to the opportunities.
Manufacturing
The company engages E.I. Microcircuits, Inc. (E.I. Micro) to manufacture its radar products and perform warranty and post-warranty repairs for all radar units sold.
Research and Development
The company’s research and development expenses were approximately $2.2 million in 2021.
Competition
Among the companies that provide direct competition to Autoscope video worldwide are Iteris, Inc.; Miovision Technologies Incorporated; Wavetronix, LLC; FLIR Systems, Inc.; GRIDSMART; Signal Group Inc. (Peek); Citilog S.A.; Sensys Inc.; and Smartmicro Inc. Among the companies that provide direct competition to RTMS radar worldwide are Wavetronix, LLC; Houston Radar, LLC; MS Sedco Inc.; and Smartmicro Sensors GmbH.
History
Autoscope Technologies Corporation was founded in 1984.
The Analyst Price Target shows the analysts’ low, high, and average target at a glance.
