As a means of tracking objects from the time they enter a location to when they exit, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently awarded $199,500 to a startup called Analytical AI for a new AI algorithm.
Under the Security Soft Targets solicitation, the Birmingham, Ala.-based company will be expected to build AI algorithms capable of tracing things like unattended baggage. DHS sees this as a way to reduce the errors natural to human performance and minimize delays when responding to threat situations, whether at schools, sports venues or other areas of heavy population density.
“The goal of this project is to offer those heavily populated locations a layer of safety that enables quick, effective action in the event an unknown threat presents itself,” Melissa Oh, managing director of the S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), said. “Analytical AI’s innovative technology monitors movement and the exchange of objects, as well as unattended objects leading to the prevention of attacks in public areas.”
Analytical AI approaches the issue through a unique analysis of data sets, which allow it to detect change in object location and possession. The company touts a near real-time reflection and progression capability, allowing for efficient tracking of baggage handlers. This would allow quicker identification and, potentially, alert of security personnel to left behind items to allow better response times and better protection for commuters, pedestrians and other members of the public.