The 5th International Public Security Industry Expo Successfully Held Over Four Days
Introducing Advanced Technologies Including Crowd Density Analysis Programs
The 5th International Public Safety Industry Expo, the only specialized public safety industry exhibition in Korea, was successfully held on the 18th at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. This event featured 816 booths with participation from 184 leading domestic companies and institutions related to the public safety industry.
◆No More Itaewon Nightmares... Crowd Density Analysis Programs Gathered in One Place=At this event, various multi-crowd risk prediction and analysis technologies developed based on AI video analysis algorithms were showcased. One such program is the AI crowd risk prediction analysis software based on CCTV footage, developed by AI software company Nota as part of the ‘Police Lab 2.0’ project led by the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Science and ICT.
At the 5th International Public Safety Industry Expo held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, Hong Yushin, Nota Manager, is explaining the technology for predicting and analyzing the risk of crowd congestion. Photo by Yoo Byung-don tamond@
Although dozens of people moved continuously in various directions within the CCTV footage, green dots were accurately placed on their heads to count the number of individuals. It worked well even when multiple people overlapped or parts of their bodies were obscured by facilities. The program assesses crowd density and flow, and if it determines there is a risk of an accident, it sends warnings to local governments and relevant agencies. Following the Itaewon tragedy, the importance of such multi-crowd analysis systems has increased and they are becoming commercialized, but Nota’s program is much more accurate because it counts people solely by detecting their heads.
Hong Yushin, manager at Nota, explained, “Generally, CCTV systems recognize people only when the entire body is visible, which limits accuracy when parts of the body are obscured. The technology we are developing recognizes people even if only their heads appear on screen, allowing for more precise crowd density analysis.” He added, “Our goal is to enhance the technology and conduct demonstrations over the next three years to apply it in actual administrative use.”
◆‘Drug Republic’ Stigma Draws Popularity to Various Drug-Related Booths=Booths related to drugs, which have recently spread even among teenagers, were bustling with visitors. Several booths displayed drug testing diagnostic kits that attracted participants’ attention. Filmedi, a medical device company, showcased a test kit that detects the components of a new drug called molly (also known as GHB), which is often misused in sexual crimes. This kit changes color within one minute when a finger dipped in a drink or alcohol containing drugs touches the test sticker surface. It can detect not only molly but also substances like methamphetamine and cocaine.
Participants continue to visit the drug test diagnostic kit booth set up at the Incheon Songdo Convensia, where the 5th International Public Safety Industry Expo is being held. Photo by Byungdon Yoo tamond@
Genbody, a company specializing in drug diagnostic kits, recently introduced a fentanyl field test kit, which has become an international concern. This kit can test for drug use within 10 minutes using urine on-site without requiring additional equipment. Various other products capable of detecting multiple drugs, including methamphetamine and ecstasy, were also exhibited. As a result, police officers visiting the booths were frequent and continuous.
The ‘Drug Prevention Special Pavilion’ operated by the Korea Customs Service was also popular. Especially, the virtual reality (VR) experience event for detecting drugs drew long lines of young participants. Additionally, the Customs Service showcased the ‘Container Cargo Inspection Robot,’ a result of the Customs Administration R&D project ‘Customs Lab 1.0.’ This remotely controlled flexible robot can conduct detailed inspections inside containers loaded with cargo and is expected to play a significant role in drug detection.
◆Self-Defense Products and Criminal Restraint Tools Abound Amidst Weapon Assault Crimes=Various items related to recent weapon assault incidents at Seohyeon Station and Sillim Station were also exhibited. One such product, the self-defense tool ‘Body Catcher,’ was very popular among police officers. Developed by B&B International, this device safely restrains an assailant’s arm or leg using a lever principle after being attached, making it a self-defense tool suitable for police, security personnel, and even ordinary citizens. Officials explained that this product can safely restrain a weapon-wielding assailant without striking or shocking them, thus avoiding legal issues related to ‘justifiable self-defense.’
The booth of the self-defense product brand Black Cobra attracted great interest from general participants. Various self-defense items such as stun guns and sprays were popular, reflecting the recent rise in public safety concerns. Participants tried out stun guns and listened attentively to explanations about the effectiveness of sprays, with some purchasing self-defense products on-site. Kim Nayoon (31), who bought a self-defense spray that day, said, “Because violent incidents happen frequently, I felt the need to protect myself. I think it’s good to have at least one product that can help you escape from very dangerous situations.”
Participants are listening to an explanation about low-risk pistols at the 5th International Public Safety Industry Expo held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon. Photo by Byeongdon Yoo tamond@
Meanwhile, the event also introduced low-risk pistols to be introduced to the police next year, which attracted high interest from participants. These low-risk pistols have one-tenth the lethality of conventional pistols and are equipped with various advanced devices.
The International Public Safety Industry Expo has grown into a leading domestic exhibition, with 409 domestic and international companies participating last year, and a total of 40,000 domestic and foreign buyers, citizens, and police officers attending. Following its UFI certification in May last year, it has been selected as an ‘Excellent Trade Exhibition’ by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for three consecutive years.
This year, marking the ‘Year of Leading Future Public Safety,’ the exhibition expanded its scale and showcased advanced products and technologies in the public safety field through nine exhibition halls, including the ‘Overseas Police Special Pavilion,’ the ‘Drug Prevention Special Pavilion,’ and the ‘Public Safety Special Pavilion,’ operated jointly with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Korea Customs Service, the Public Procurement Service, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and the Korea Coast Guard.
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