Customized Research and Development for Public Safety Scenes
44.5 Billion KRW Invested by 2025
Scenes from Movies Now a Reality
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A satellite navigation device (GPS) for pursuit is launched at vehicles fleeing while ignoring police chase, and unmanned patrol robots are deployed in CCTV blind spots to minimize security gaps. Scenes once only seen in movies have now come closer to reality.
According to the National Police Agency on the 24th, the police recently finalized 10 main projects for the "Customized Research and Development Project for Security Sites (Police Lab 2.0)" conducted together with the Ministry of Science and ICT. A total of 44.5 billion KRW will be invested by 2025 to officially develop these projects. The Police Lab 2.0 projects are classified into emergency response type (4 projects) that can be immediately utilized at security sites, preemptive response type (3 projects) that discover and solve solutions needed for future security sites in advance, and field participation type (3 projects) that support research and development so that citizens and on-site police officers can directly solve security site problems.
Among the emergency response types, the most notable technology is the development of a launchable or attachable GPS location tracking system for fleeing vehicles. Vehicles fleeing after committing various crimes pose a great threat not only to pursuing police officers but also to ordinary citizens by ignoring traffic laws. If a GPS tracker can be launched and attached to such fleeing vehicles, real-time location information can be identified, enabling safer and more efficient pursuit. Additionally, the development of advanced safety shields and new protective gear for police units is also being promoted.
In the preemptive response type, the development of an unmanned patrol robot system draws attention. It is a quadruped walking patrol robot capable of video recording that can support and assist police officers' patrol duties. Especially, it can be deployed in places where CCTV cannot reach or where human access is difficult, minimizing security gaps. Furthermore, AI-based tampering investigation and report video detection technology will also be developed. This system automatically detects manipulated videos amid increasingly evolving forgery techniques such as 'deepfake.'
For the field participation type, the core is to build a platform where police officers and citizens can directly develop equipment needed at security sites. A support platform for hazardous police equipment, drones, and materials/components/equipment development will be established to provide opportunities for anyone to realize their ideas.
Before selecting the main projects, 27 projects were initially selected and received development funding of 20 million KRW each. Subsequently, on-site police officers and science and technology experts verified the suitability for security sites and technical feasibility to select the final projects, increasing the likelihood of realization. A National Police Agency official said, "The 'Police Lab 1.0' project, including the visible 112 emergency call support system and foldable stab-resistant shields, was successfully operated," adding, "Through Police Lab 2.0, we will proactively develop ideas needed on-site and required for future security sites to help the safety of citizens and police officers."
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