Viettel AI receives U.S. patent for AI-based multi-object tracking technology

Viettel AI has officially received its first patent granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a method of multi-object tracking from video using artificial intelligence technology.

This method was entirely invented and developed by Vietnamese engineers. It also marks the first time that a research project from the Viettel Data Service and Artificial Intelligence Center (Viettel AI) has been granted a Utility Patent by the USPTO. Notably, the patent was granted without any objections during the examination process, indicating that the solution demonstrates clear novelty, rigorous technical documentation, and a low risk of disputes under the United States’ patent standards - one of the most stringent technology markets in the world.

Viettel AI granted a U.S. patent by the USPTO for an AI-based multi-object tracking method from video

In video analytics and surveillance systems, Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) has always been a challenging problem. The task of this technology goes beyond simply detecting a person or an object appearing in a frame; it must also maintain the correct identity of each object throughout its movement, even when the object is temporarily occluded, leaves the frame and reappears, or when multiple individuals with similar appearances are present at the same time.

In practice, many systems encounter identity confusion, especially in environments with changing lighting conditions, crowded spaces, rapid movements, or complex camera angles. This mainly stems from approaches that divide the problem into separate processing stages, where an error in one step can accumulate and affect the overall tracking process, while also increasing processing time.

To address these challenges, Viettel AI adopted a different approach. The research team designed a completely new end-to-end AI model for multi-object tracking, enabling the system to learn and process the entire tracking pipeline within a unified architecture rather than through fragmented steps. This approach improves stability, reduces identity mismatches, optimizes processing time, and makes the solution more suitable for deployment in complex real-world environments.

Viettel AI’s multi-object tracking model

Mr. Nguyen Manh Quy, Director of Viettel AI, stated: “Receiving a patent from the USPTO reflects Viettel AI’s capability to master core technologies—from solving real-world problems to deploying solutions at large scale. This serves as an important foundation for Viettel to build sovereign AI technologies, independently researched and developed in Vietnam, capable of meeting both domestic needs and international standards.”

Viettel AI has already deployed this core technology in camera-based monitoring solutions across many surveillance points, including headquarters of People’s Committees at different administrative levels, tourist destinations, shopping malls, school gates, hospitals, jewelry stores, and other public spaces. The technology can automatically detect situations such as unauthorized intrusion into restricted areas, wall climbing or fence jumping, illegal dumping, abandoned objects in public areas or museums, and more. According to real-world deployment assessments, Viettel AI’s solution can detect traffic safety violations and recognize crowd activities with over 95% accuracy, operating reliably under continuous 24/7 monitoring conditions.

At the same time, this technology has also been applied in smart city management systems in Đà Nẵng City, Thái Nguyên Province, Đồng Hới City (Quảng Bình), Kim Động District (Hưng Yên), and Vũng Tàu City.

Being granted patent protection in the United States not only recognizes a specific research achievement but also affirms Viettel AI’s capability to master foundational AI technologies—paving the way for “Make in Vietnam” artificial intelligence products to expand their applications and reach international markets.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the long-standing authority responsible for examining and granting patents in the United States, a market known for having one of the most rigorous patent examination processes in the world. To be granted a patent, an invention must demonstrate novelty, an inventive step, and practical applicability in real-world production and business contexts. The examination and approval process at the USPTO typically takes about two to three years or longer, depending on the complexity of the invention, and involves multiple rounds of rigorous evaluation.