Experimenting with innovation: The object detection orchestra

Imagine a job where you can push the boundaries of technology while solving real-world problems. Meet Software Engineer Ghaith and Global Sales Engineer Vanessa and get a glimpse into the Axis world of innovation and the creativity behind their latest cross-functional collaboration.

Experimentation fuels innovation

At Axis, collaboration and experimentation aren’t side projects—they’re at the heart of how we work. So, when an idea hatched to challenge what’s possible when combining Axis cameras with AI analytics, it quickly turned into a full-team effort. Software engineers, sales specialists, imaging experts, and hardware developers all came together. The result? Music!

The team paired high-performance video surveillance cameras with AI based analytics to create a one-of-a-kind orchestra that interprets everyday objects—a tennis ball, a coffee cup, even a fire extinguisher—as musical cues.

“We built a system where if an object passed through different areas within the camera’s view, it played a musical note,” Vanessa describes. “Each zone in the scene became its own sound.”

A pitch-perfect idea

The system was able to perform a reimagining of Richard Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra, made iconic by its use in 2001: A Space Odyssey. But instead of strings and horns, this version uses inanimate objects.   

“Experiments like this is a way for us to think outside of the box while developing real products and solutions for our customers,” said Ghaith.

The experiment built on our existing technology—which uses cameras to detect objects such as cars, people, or animals—and triggers a programmed response. In this case, it was music. In customer applications, the same technology could unlock doors, pause a production line, or activate safety alerts in a factory.

“Cameras are no longer simply part of a security set-up,” Vanessa points out. They are vital to many other systems that power automation, enable smart cities, and shape the future of machine interaction. This project highlights just how far the possibilities can go.”

A workplace that encourages curiosity

One of the things Vanessa, Ghaith and their colleagues value most is the freedom to explore, experiment, and collaborate. From dedicated innovation initiatives to a culture that encourages curiosity, employees are given space to test ideas and grow.

“What sets Axis apart? The opportunities to try out new things, innovate, and have fun while doing it,” says Ghaith.

For Vanessa, the excitement comes from knowing no two days are alike. “Every day brings new questions, new solutions, and new collaborations. I love knowing my work is part of a bigger picture—solving real-world problems that matter.”

Join us

If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, then apply for one of our open positions.