Hanwha Vision has unveiled its most advanced System on a Chip to date, the Wisenet 9, following nearly four years of R&D. This latest iteration is designed to power the next wave of AI-driven surveillance, offering stronger performance, sharper visuals, and smarter analytics at the edge. It represents a significant shift in how video data is processed, stored, and used – with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and end-to-end security.
At the heart of the Wisenet 9 is its dual Neural Processing Unit (NPU) architecture. Unlike its predecessor, Wisenet 7, the new chip splits image processing and object detection across two NPUs. This ensures that image quality is never compromised by analytics performance and vice versa. According to John Lutz Boorman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe, this structure offers the “best possible video in the toughest environments” while delivering reliable, real-time intelligence.
Dual NPUs Deliver Smarter Edge Intelligence
By shifting more of the AI workload to the edge, Wisenet 9 supports real-time decision-making directly on the device, reducing latency and dependence on centralised processing. This is particularly useful in high-traffic or mission-critical environments where timely responses are paramount. Hanwha says inference performance has tripled compared to Wisenet 7, enabling faster, more accurate detection of objects and behaviours.
Advanced analytics capabilities have been broadened as well. Beyond basic people and vehicle detection, Wisenet 9 supports detailed attribute analysis such as age, gender, face masks, and even bags carried. The chip also enables high-level features such as crowd detection, heatmapping, and queue management, offering practical applications across sectors including retail, healthcare, and transportation.
Wisenet 9 also supports Re-Identification (RE-ID), a technology that tracks individuals across multiple non-overlapping camera views using deep learning. This facilitates more accurate monitoring in complex environments such as large public spaces or multi-storey buildings, even when a subject changes appearance.
Sharper Vision in Challenging Environments
Hanwha has improved low-light and high-contrast image capture using AI-based Wide Dynamic Range and noise reduction. These enhancements are handled by one of the NPUs, ensuring image fidelity is prioritised regardless of lighting or environmental conditions. This makes Wisenet 9 well-suited for use in environments with variable or poor lighting, where traditional sensors often fall short.
The result is a system capable of revealing finer details that might otherwise go unnoticed – a key advantage in scenarios where accurate identification is crucial.
Security Meets Efficiency with Smarter AI Compression
In parallel with AI improvements, Hanwha has focused on optimising performance. Wisenet 9 uses the latest H.265 video compression to cut bandwidth and storage requirements without compromising on quality. This allows security providers to manage more data within existing infrastructure and ensures smoother operation in cloud-based environments.
Wisenet 9 also includes AI-driven sound classification, capable of recognising critical events such as gunshots, breaking glass or raised voices. This complements the video data by improving situational awareness and allowing faster incident response.
Privacy and compliance are another focal point. Dynamic Privacy Masking (DPM), powered by AI, offers flexible options for obscuring personal data in real-time. This feature helps users meet GDPR and similar regulatory standards without manual intervention.
Hanwha has ensured that Wisenet 9 retains strong cybersecurity credentials. It builds on Wisenet 7’s secure architecture, while gaining FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification – one of the highest security benchmarks in the industry. This standard is designed to protect critical data within the chipset and provides confidence that systems are secure against unauthorised access and manipulation.
The platform also supports integration with Hanwha’s AI Packs, pre-built solutions tailored for traffic, retail, and manufacturing use cases. An open architecture further allows users to customise their systems through the Hanwha Vision Open Platform.
Hanwha’s latest chip provides the technical foundation for smarter, more efficient surveillance across sectors, with a clear emphasis on edge intelligence and sustainable performance.