The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Operational Experimentation (OpEx) Program and the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) hosted a weeklong Urban OpEx where first responders evaluated new and emerging technology solutions in realistic, urban settings throughout the New York Metropolitan area.
During Urban OpEx 2022, technologies were placed into the hands of first responders to explore each one’s features, functions, and capabilities, and give end-user feedback to the developers behind these tools. This feedback is published in a series of reports to assist federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial first responders in making informed acquisition decisions for fielding new technologies.
OpEx 2022 Technology Reports
- CENTAUR Hybrid Network in a Box Report: A rapidly deployable cellular network platform designed to support first responders and emergency response personnel in deploying a mobile LTE network during operations where an LTE network is not available.
- DeepZero Report: An artificial intelligence computer vision technology that automatically detects and classifies weapons through integration with existing security cameras and associated video management systems.
- Pendar X10 Report: A handheld standoff Raman spectrometer designed to identify explosives, drugs, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, related precursors and byproducts, and other organic or inorganic materials in a wide range of law enforcement and emergency response applications.
- Skydio X2 Report: An autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for use by consumers, enterprises, defense, and civilian agencies for various situational awareness applications.
- Vision 60 Q-UGV Report: A quadrupedal deployable robotic platform suitable for use in a broad range of unstructured urban and natural environments for defense, homeland security, and enterprise security applications.
- Vizsafe Geoaware Network Common Operating Picture Software Report: An intelligence dashboard that enables the integration of existing systems and assets, such as Internet of Things sensor networks, camera networks, and smartphone-generated incident reports into a single comprehensive view for authorized users on any mobile device or web browser.
- Wave Relay Mobile Ad Hoc Network Report: A deployable communications network that enables users to remain in communication throughout real-time emergencies and their aftermath.
Additional Resources
- Feature Article: Urban OpEx—New York City Is a Testbed for First Responder Tech
- News Release: DHS Concludes Innovative Technology OpEx to Strengthen Urban First Responder Operations
- News Release: DHS S&T Seeks to Test Innovative First Responder Technologies at Urban OpEx 2022
- Urban Operational Experimentation (OpEx) Fact Sheet and Video