Stockholm, Sweden. Deep below the city, where the hum of trains echoes off concrete walls and over 700,000 passengers pass through daily, a quiet revolution in public safety is taking place. In collaboration with SL (Stockholm Public Transport), a new AI-powered surveillance system is now actively helping to prevent accidents, suicide attempts, and potentially save lives on the subway.
At the heart of the system is IRIS™ Rail, an advanced video analytics solution developed by Irisity. With over 5,000 cameras monitoring stations across the city, the system uses artificial intelligence to continuously analyze video feeds and detect dangerous situations in real time.
“We’re using AI to catch critical incidents before they escalate,” says Alpay Aksoy, one of the developers behind the technology. “The system can detect if someone falls onto the tracks, behaves unusually close to the edge, or stays seated on a bench for an abnormal amount of time. These subtle signals may indicate distress, medical emergencies, or suicidal behavior.”
Unlike traditional surveillance, which relies on human operators to spot incidents manually, IRIS™ Rail automates detection and instantly alerts the central security team when something’s wrong. This allows operators to respond within seconds by cutting power, stopping trains, or dispatching guards before tragedy strikes.
One recent incident highlights the system’s potential. Operators received an alert about a person behaving erratically on the platform. On reviewing the footage, they noticed the individual inching closer to the edge and mimicking a jump. Security was able to intervene just in time, connecting the person with medical help.
“That could have been a life saved,” says one of the SL security operators. “We went home that day feeling proud.”
Since implementation began in 2021, the AI system has prevented 29 suicide attempts, according to SL. In a transit network that sees nearly 50 suicide-related incidents annually, the impact is significant. Not just for the individuals directly affected, but also for drivers, staff, and fellow passengers who might otherwise be witnesses to trauma.
SL’s control center, staffed with just a handful of operators, handles the safety of hundreds of thousands of travelers every day. “It feels like having 5,000 extra sets of eyes,” says Aksoy. “The AI never blinks, never gets tired, and always follows strict, unbiased rules.”
The project represents a step forward in using technology not just for convenience, but for compassion—preventing irreversible moments before they happen.
Keven Marier
Chief Executive Officer, CEO