In a groundbreaking effort to tackle the challenges faced by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), India is set to host a national hackathon named Vimarsh-2023, focusing on the utilization of 5G technology in policing. This initiative is poised to empower LEAs by developing innovative solutions, ideas, and prototypes, specifically tailored for the dynamic landscape of 5G technology.
The Power of 5G for Policing
5G technology represents a significant leap forward compared to its predecessor, 4G. It offers unparalleled advantages in terms of speed, peak data rates, reduced latency, enhanced spectrum efficiency, and increased connection density. The hackathon’s primary objective is to harness these capabilities to address India’s law enforcement needs effectively.
Vimarsh-2023: Envisioning the Future
Vimarsh-2023, the 5G Hackathon, aims to create India-specific use cases for LEAs, exploiting the potential of 5G technology and beyond. The event is organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), which has been nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Centre of Excellence for 5G application use cases.
Key Partnerships
In partnership with the BPR&D, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is collaborating to find solutions to the issues confronting LEAs. The Department of Telecom (DOT) and its subsidiary Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) are actively participating in this venture, joining forces with students, startups, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Addressing Complex Challenges
Vimarsh-2023 has identified nine problem statements, each aimed at addressing crucial law enforcement challenges:
- Develop a robust framework for real-time mobile user location tracking with internal authentication.
- Utilize 5G-enabled devices for 3D capturing (AR/VR/XR) of crime scenes, enhancing capacity building and operations.
- Create an app and framework for integrating surveillance wearables gadgets using the Internet of Things (IoT), followed by analysis using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
- Implement intelligent traffic management through 5G-enabled AI cameras.
- Manage crime scenes, including 3D (AR/VR) capabilities.
- Develop data analytics using 5G metadata for predictive policing, hotspot detection, crime mapping, and geo-fencing.
- Design an app for emergency response vehicles, including fire department vehicles, embedded with 5G CPEs for critical voice, video, and data communications.
- Create an app for 5G-enabled drones for surveillance, security, and safety, including control and data transmission.
- Establish a software routing security framework for private networks within the 5G communication network and develop an app to assist LEAs in investigation, evidence collection, and drafting charge sheets.
Hackathon Phases
The Vimarsh-2023 Hackathon comprises three stages. The first two stages will be conducted virtually, while the third stage will occur at nodal centers in a physical mode, equipped with 5G testbeds, private networks, and labs. Each stage will have a jury featuring members from BPR&D, I4C, DOT, and industry experts. The winners for each problem statement will be announced during the valedictory session in February 2024, with an award of Rs 1.5 lakh for each winner.
Fostering Innovation
Additionally, a substantial amount of Rs 2.5 lakh has been allocated to support the productization of winning ideas, proof of concepts (POCs), further incubation, incentivization, and funding to produce practical tools and solutions for LEAs.
During the curtain raiser event of Vimarsh-2023, Director General BPR&D Balaji Srivastava, Chairman of Telecom Centre of Excellence Ajay Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary in MHA Chandraker Bharti, and Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C, were present, emphasizing the significance of this pioneering endeavor.
Vimarsh-2023 signifies a transformative leap in the field of law enforcement, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and the needs of those responsible for keeping our society safe.