DHS smart city program enters second phase

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Smart Cities Internet of Things Innovation (SCITI) Labs program is entering its second phase.

“SCITI Labs and the commercial-first approach allow DHS to integrate and apply new prototype technologies from various industry segments into the public safety arena,” Jeff Booth, the SCITI Labs lead at S&T, said. “These innovations will be applied to meet the needs of DHS component and first responder stakeholders, as well as private sector partners that are often the key to commercial adoption for areas like critical infrastructure.

Booth said the process provides an integrate-test-apply development and deployment approach to mission capabilities to help meet homeland security needs.

Eight technology developers are preparing Smart Cities prototype technologies for the commercial marketplace in three capability areas: unmanned aerial systems (UAS), in-building sensors, and a communications SmartHub. Over the next 12 months, technologies will be evaluated with first responders, DHS operational components, and private sector partners in search-and-rescue and soft-target scenarios.

The SCITI Labs team will continue to work with technology developers and innovators, as well as government agencies, public safety officials, infrastructure owners, and private sector investment partners, to further design, develop, test and evaluate capabilities to ready them for adoption and commercialization.