At ISC West 2025, Bosch Security Systems gave security professionals a glimpse into the future of intelligent video analytics with the upcoming release of IVA Pro Context—a breakthrough AI-driven technology set to roll out in the cloud by late 2025 and directly on Bosch cameras in 2026. This powerful addition to the IVA Pro suite goes beyond traditional rule-based analytics by introducing a visual language model that enables open-ended scene interpretation, natural-language querying, and real-time, human-like context awareness.
AI Meets Real-Time Video Intelligence
Described by Tom Fontana as "ChatGPT on steroids," IVA Pro Context brings natural language understanding into the surveillance world, allowing security teams to ask questions like, “Is there anything out of the ordinary?” or “Is there a safety hazard?” without having to predefine every possible event.
“Rather than having to tell a camera specifically what you’re looking for, you can ask open-ended questions,” said Matt Cirnigliaro from Bosch. “It allows a camera to think like you do and to look at pictures like you do.”
This shift enables a fundamentally more intuitive and dynamic form of monitoring. Traditional IVA required manual configuration and scenario-specific training, but with IVA Pro Context, the system uses pre-trained AI models—removing the need for lengthy setups or specialized programming. As Cirnigliaro explained, “It’s already there and it’s taking that information all right off the bat.”
Context, Not Just Detection
IVA Pro Context doesn’t just detect what is happening—it understands why it’s happening. For example, if a person is loitering near a building, the system can determine whether they're tying their shoe, injured, or engaged in suspicious behavior like vandalism. The AI generates natural-language descriptions, offering operators far richer situational awareness.
Bosch showcased a powerful use case: “A man lies on the floor in a warehouse surrounded by yellow boxes and a forklift with another man standing nearby.” That summary was generated in 10–15 seconds by the AI without any pre-configuration.
Dual Deployment Paths: Cloud and Edge
IVA Pro Context is coming in two deployment models:
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Cloud-based model (late 2025): Compatible with nearly any Bosch camera, this model enables open-ended analysis of events forwarded by existing IVA triggers. This cloud option is ideal for applying cutting-edge AI to older infrastructure.
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Edge-based model (2026): Designed for newer cameras equipped with Bosch’s Common Product Platform 16 (CPP16) chipsets, this version runs the visual language model directly on the device, enabling faster, offline decision-making and tighter data control.
Cirnigliaro emphasized the significance of this flexibility: “This truly allows the camera to view the world much like an operator would, but it can do it 24/7, without fatigue or distraction.”
Use Cases as Vast as Your Imagination
The potential applications are virtually limitless—from retail environments needing to identify misplaced merchandise, to cities combatting graffiti, to logistics centers monitoring for safety hazards or procedural violations. Operators can even compare live scenes to reference images for anomaly detection or set up sequential reasoning queries: “Is graffiti happening?”, followed by “Who’s responsible?” and “Where exactly is this taking place?”
“It’s a fundamental shift,” said Cirnigliaro. “Once you figure out what that operator really cares about and what data points are important, it’s like magic.”
Looking Ahead
As Bosch continues beta testing, the cloud-based IVA Pro Context is expected to be commercially available in late 2025. The on-camera version is targeted for release in 2026, pending chipset readiness and firmware integration.
With IVA Pro Context being added to the already feature-rich IVA Pro suite, Bosch is ushering in a new era of AI-assisted security. This is not just another analytics engine—it’s a transformative platform that enables security cameras to reason, understand, and respond like never before. Whether applied in retail, government, logistics, education, or smart city infrastructure, this technology redefines how organizations interact with their video data.
Stay tuned. IVA Pro Context is not just coming—it’s about to change everything.
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