Sep 1, 2025
Articles
The Hidden Costs of Traditional CV: Hardware, Integrators, Analysts… Oh My
Liam Jackson
For years, computer vision (CV) has been something of a gated technology: immensely powerful, but out of reach for all but the most deep-pocketed enterprises. Whether you wanted to track foot traffic in your retail store, monitor gym equipment usage, or simply know when a line was getting too long, the answer was always the same: install expensive hardware, integrate it into a complex software stack, and then pay someone to make sense of it all.
At Super, we think that’s absurd.
Here’s a breakdown of the true cost of traditional computer vision- and why it’s time for a simpler, smarter, and dramatically more affordable alternative.
Specialized Cameras and Sensors: $3,000–$20,000+
Most traditional CV systems rely on a network of ceiling-mounted cameras or LiDAR systems. These are not your everyday security cams; we’re talking industrial-grade equipment that needs professional installation and calibration.
High-resolution cameras: $800–$2,000 each
Edge devices (e.g. Nvidia Jetsons): $800–$5,000
LiDAR sensors (for 3D space mapping): up to $10,000
Mounting hardware + cabling: add a few hundred more
Total: Easily $5K–$20K for a medium-sized space.
Professional Installation: $1,000+
This isn’t a peel-and-stick job. You’re hiring professionals to run cable through your ceiling, connect to your local network, calibrate angles and lighting, and maybe even bring in an electrician.
The result? Weeks of planning, and a hefty invoice.
Cloud Inference Fees: $100–$1,000/month (or more)
Most traditional CV systems ship data to the cloud for processing. That means:
High bandwidth costs
Per-video-hour inference fees
Charges for object detection, people counting, etc.
These fees can add up fast. We’ve seen businesses spend hundreds of dollars per month per camera, just to get basic insights.
Analytics and Interpretation: $$$ + Time
Here’s the kicker: even if your cameras are installed and the data is flowing, someone still needs to analyze and interpret the data. Often, that means:
Hiring data analysts
Training staff to use clunky dashboards
Exporting CSVs and building your own reports
In other words: you're still flying blind unless you invest more time, money, and headcount.
Add It All Up…
By the time you're up and running with a traditional CV solution, you’ve likely spent:
$10,000+ upfront
$500–$2,000/month in ongoing costs
Countless hours trying to make it useful
No wonder most businesses - especially SMBs - give up before they start.
Enter Super: Computer Vision That Actually Makes Sense
We built Super to flip this model on its head.
Peel-and-stick “Puck”— no installation crew required
We give it to you free with any subscription
Setup takes less than 30 seconds — just plug in, connect, and go!
Natural language interface — ask questions like:
“How many people visited yesterday?”
“Which gym equipment is used the most?”
“Alert me if more than 25 people are in the cafe”Subscriptions start at just $9/month
No wiring. No inference fees. No analytics team. Just plug-and-play visibility into your space.
Why Pay More for Less?
Computer vision should empower your business - not break your budget. With Super, you can unlock powerful insights with zero technical expertise and no upfront cost.
For years, computer vision (CV) has been something of a gated technology: immensely powerful, but out of reach for all but the most deep-pocketed enterprises. Whether you wanted to track foot traffic in your retail store, monitor gym equipment usage, or simply know when a line was getting too long, the answer was always the same: install expensive hardware, integrate it into a complex software stack, and then pay someone to make sense of it all.
At Super, we think that’s absurd.
Here’s a breakdown of the true cost of traditional computer vision- and why it’s time for a simpler, smarter, and dramatically more affordable alternative.
Specialized Cameras and Sensors: $3,000–$20,000+
Most traditional CV systems rely on a network of ceiling-mounted cameras or LiDAR systems. These are not your everyday security cams; we’re talking industrial-grade equipment that needs professional installation and calibration.
High-resolution cameras: $800–$2,000 each
Edge devices (e.g. Nvidia Jetsons): $800–$5,000
LiDAR sensors (for 3D space mapping): up to $10,000
Mounting hardware + cabling: add a few hundred more
Total: Easily $5K–$20K for a medium-sized space.
Professional Installation: $1,000+
This isn’t a peel-and-stick job. You’re hiring professionals to run cable through your ceiling, connect to your local network, calibrate angles and lighting, and maybe even bring in an electrician.
The result? Weeks of planning, and a hefty invoice.
Cloud Inference Fees: $100–$1,000/month (or more)
Most traditional CV systems ship data to the cloud for processing. That means:
High bandwidth costs
Per-video-hour inference fees
Charges for object detection, people counting, etc.
These fees can add up fast. We’ve seen businesses spend hundreds of dollars per month per camera, just to get basic insights.
Analytics and Interpretation: $$$ + Time
Here’s the kicker: even if your cameras are installed and the data is flowing, someone still needs to analyze and interpret the data. Often, that means:
Hiring data analysts
Training staff to use clunky dashboards
Exporting CSVs and building your own reports
In other words: you're still flying blind unless you invest more time, money, and headcount.
Add It All Up…
By the time you're up and running with a traditional CV solution, you’ve likely spent:
$10,000+ upfront
$500–$2,000/month in ongoing costs
Countless hours trying to make it useful
No wonder most businesses - especially SMBs - give up before they start.
Enter Super: Computer Vision That Actually Makes Sense
We built Super to flip this model on its head.
Peel-and-stick “Puck”— no installation crew required
We give it to you free with any subscription
Setup takes less than 30 seconds — just plug in, connect, and go!
Natural language interface — ask questions like:
“How many people visited yesterday?”
“Which gym equipment is used the most?”
“Alert me if more than 25 people are in the cafe”Subscriptions start at just $9/month
No wiring. No inference fees. No analytics team. Just plug-and-play visibility into your space.
Why Pay More for Less?
Computer vision should empower your business - not break your budget. With Super, you can unlock powerful insights with zero technical expertise and no upfront cost.
For years, computer vision (CV) has been something of a gated technology: immensely powerful, but out of reach for all but the most deep-pocketed enterprises. Whether you wanted to track foot traffic in your retail store, monitor gym equipment usage, or simply know when a line was getting too long, the answer was always the same: install expensive hardware, integrate it into a complex software stack, and then pay someone to make sense of it all.
At Super, we think that’s absurd.
Here’s a breakdown of the true cost of traditional computer vision- and why it’s time for a simpler, smarter, and dramatically more affordable alternative.
Specialized Cameras and Sensors: $3,000–$20,000+
Most traditional CV systems rely on a network of ceiling-mounted cameras or LiDAR systems. These are not your everyday security cams; we’re talking industrial-grade equipment that needs professional installation and calibration.
High-resolution cameras: $800–$2,000 each
Edge devices (e.g. Nvidia Jetsons): $800–$5,000
LiDAR sensors (for 3D space mapping): up to $10,000
Mounting hardware + cabling: add a few hundred more
Total: Easily $5K–$20K for a medium-sized space.
Professional Installation: $1,000+
This isn’t a peel-and-stick job. You’re hiring professionals to run cable through your ceiling, connect to your local network, calibrate angles and lighting, and maybe even bring in an electrician.
The result? Weeks of planning, and a hefty invoice.
Cloud Inference Fees: $100–$1,000/month (or more)
Most traditional CV systems ship data to the cloud for processing. That means:
High bandwidth costs
Per-video-hour inference fees
Charges for object detection, people counting, etc.
These fees can add up fast. We’ve seen businesses spend hundreds of dollars per month per camera, just to get basic insights.
Analytics and Interpretation: $$$ + Time
Here’s the kicker: even if your cameras are installed and the data is flowing, someone still needs to analyze and interpret the data. Often, that means:
Hiring data analysts
Training staff to use clunky dashboards
Exporting CSVs and building your own reports
In other words: you're still flying blind unless you invest more time, money, and headcount.
Add It All Up…
By the time you're up and running with a traditional CV solution, you’ve likely spent:
$10,000+ upfront
$500–$2,000/month in ongoing costs
Countless hours trying to make it useful
No wonder most businesses - especially SMBs - give up before they start.
Enter Super: Computer Vision That Actually Makes Sense
We built Super to flip this model on its head.
Peel-and-stick “Puck”— no installation crew required
We give it to you free with any subscription
Setup takes less than 30 seconds — just plug in, connect, and go!
Natural language interface — ask questions like:
“How many people visited yesterday?”
“Which gym equipment is used the most?”
“Alert me if more than 25 people are in the cafe”Subscriptions start at just $9/month
No wiring. No inference fees. No analytics team. Just plug-and-play visibility into your space.
Why Pay More for Less?
Computer vision should empower your business - not break your budget. With Super, you can unlock powerful insights with zero technical expertise and no upfront cost.