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NIST PSCR

 10,026

CHARIoT Challenge: Advancing First Responder Communications

Build augmented reality interfaces for first responders OR develop smart city data streams to simulate disaster scenarios.
stage:
Phase 4 IoT Due & Phase 4 AR Begins
prize:
$1,100,000 Prize Purse
more
Summary
Timeline
Forum2
Teams24
Rules
Summary

Overview

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Build augmented reality interfaces for first responders OR develop smart city data streams to simulate disaster scenarios.

Watch the Challenge Webinar

HOW TO ENTER

Step 1: Get Smart, Register Your Team

Learn more about the challenge phases, problem, emergency scenarios, submission requirements, and eligibility terms to participate in this prize challenge. Team up with a public safety partner and complete the registration form to set up your participant profile.
 

Step 2: Develop your Concept

Depending on your area of expertise, learn about the Phase 1 submission requirements for the AR submission or IoT submission, then develop your idea!
 

Step 3: Submit your Entry

Log in and complete your submission on the challenge platform.
The AR contest submission is due May 6th.
The IoT contest submission is due May 6th.

 

1. Augmented Reality Contest

Create AR interfaces for first responders (heads-up displays) or incident command (holograms), utilizing smart building and personal area network sensor data. 

Background

Public Safety operates in challenging environments during emergency response. As America’s first responder community supplements their land mobile radios with broadband communication technologies, there is a need to improve their ability to leverage new technologies with enhanced user interfaces designed around the first responder’s context of use.  

Problem Definition

Developers have the opportunity to leverage augmented reality (AR) technology, such as heads-up display and holographic interfaces, to convey actionable information to first responders without distractions or cognitive overload. 

These solutions can significantly improve a first responder’s situational awareness allowing them to more effectively plan and respond during incidents.  Today, however, current advancements in AR technology have been largely unavailable to first responders.

Submit a concept paper and mock up video to win cash awards to prototype your solution, partner with the public safety community, and travel to key events.  

Up to 15 finalists will receive exclusive business acceleration services;  Successful contestants will attend in-person training with and loaned hardware from Magic Leap and additional collaboration and mentorship opportunities with Challenge partners and impactful public safety partners.

 

2. Internet of Things Contest

Determine which sensors are most useful for first responders to successfully complete their tasks in four scenarios. Create time stamped data streams to accurately simulate disaster scenarios.

Background

It is projected that more than 70 billion IoT devices will be connected by 2025. America’s first responder community seeks to supplement their traditional radio communications with information provided by broadband communications technologies, such as smart city and personnel location data.

Problem Definition

Today, first responders do not have convenient access to the critical information that they need to make informed decisions during emergency disasters. 

Researchers can build solutions that provide first responders access to IoT devices’, smart buildings’ and smart cities’ data streams. These systems would allow our public safety community to optimize resource deployment and decrease the time it takes for incident command and boots-on-the ground first responders to make live-saving decisions. 

Help America’s first responders, while winning cash awards to develop your emulated data streams, travel to key events and expand your network in the public safety community.

Successful contestants will demo their data appliances at the 2020 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) and up to four finalists will see their solutions used by the public safety community in staged emergency scenarios during the final live event.


Guidelines

Awrard_and_prizes

AR Contest prize pool of up to $888,000.

 

IoT Contest prize pool of up to $212,000.

 

Win cash awards to develop prototypes, travel to key events, and expand your network in the public safety community.

 

View AR Contest Awards

View IoT Contest Awards

 

 

 

 

Build Augmented Reality Interfaces for First Responders Contest

HOW TO ENTER

Phase 1: Concept Paper & Video​

The Concept Paper and Video phase invites all eligible contestants to submit a concept paper and video outlining their team’s proposed solution, approach, capabilities, knowledge, and skills for this contest. Contestants must document their proposed augmented reality (AR) interfaces – holograms for incident command perspective and heads-up displays for first responders – for the four emergency scenarios. Contestants must either include a first responder as part of their team or sign a statement that they would be willing to collaborate with a partnered first responder agency to ensure applicability and alignment of their AR interfaces during the challenge. Contestants will also need to demonstrate their augmented reality proficiency through a three-minute (maximum) recorded video of either their AR portfolio or a sample AR interface created for this Challenge.

Contestants’ concept papers and recorded videos will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts; the judging panel will evaluate and select up to 30 contestants for awards. Awardees will receive: a) an invitation to Phase 2; Contestants will also be loaned a Magic Leap headset to be utilized during the competition and returned at the final event or during the contestants’ last participation in the Challenge.

How to Enter

Review the emergency scenarios and desired corresponding public safety tasks provided on the challenge website. By the May 6th deadline, submit a concept paper and link to a recorded video through the challenge website.

  • Register for the challenge by completing the registration form
  • Review the PSCR provided four emergency scenarios in the ‘Scenarios’ tab on the challenge website.
  • Disaster Scenario Links: Flood, Active ShooterMass Transit AccidentWildfire
  • Complete the submission requirements for the Concept Paper phase.
  • Submit the required concept paper and link to a recorded video as your entry on the challenge website.
  • Note: Participants may only submit a concept paper for either the Emulate Smart City Data for Disaster Scenarios contest or the Build Augmented Reality Interfaces for First Responders contest, but not both.

Phase 1 Submission Requirements

COVER PAGE & ABSTRACT (1 PAGE)

  • Participant’s Name (Team, Organization or Company Name) and list of individual team member(s),
  • Participant’s Location (City, State/Region and Country).
  • Team Logo
  • Official Representative and their preferred contact information (including email, phone, and physical mailing address).
  • Describe succinctly (500-word MAXIMUM): The unique aspects of the participant’s approach and the potential impact that the proposed approach could have in achieving the goals of the challenge.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (6 PAGES MAX)

Addressing the scoring criteria should be your primary objective; therefore, create your concept paper to address the criteria. Below are a few items to consider: The participant’s knowledge, skills, and capabilities as they relate to the goals of the challenge. The participant’s proposed augmented reality interfaces - holograms for incident command perspective and heads-up displays for first responders - for the four emergency scenarios; The competitive advantage offered by the participant’s approach or solution.

INFORMATION ABOUT KEY TEAM MEMBERS (2 PAGES)

Information describing the first responder point of contact, a description/details of the collaboration (including acknowledgement of prizes reserved for the collaborating public safety agency) with a public safety agency or entity. This information should be signed by the project’s point of contact at the collaborating public safety entity.

INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY COLLABORATION (1 PAGE)

Information describing the first responder point of contact, a description/details of the collaboration (including acknowledgement of prizes reserved for the collaborating public safety agency) with a public safety agency or entity. This information should be signed by the project’s point of contact at the collaborating public safety entity.

CONCEPT SKETCH (1-2 PAGES)

A concept sketch of the interfaces and proposed solution in a PDF format.

MOCK UP VIDEO (1-3 MINS)

Submit a single video provided through an accessible online link within the application materials highlighting their concept, team skill set, and showcasing a virtual or augmented reality project.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

Phase 1: Judging Criteria
Concept Paper & Mock Up Video

Concept Paper and Mock Up Video submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

70% STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT & TECHNICAL OUTCOMES​

The extent to which the proposed approach meets the challenge objectives listed in the goals of the challenge. 

The likelihood that the contestants(s) solutions, if successfully implemented will have a significant real-world impact on public safety operations.  

Extent to which the proposed approach will result in significant improvement in commercially available technology and will potentially result in a technical outcome which enables considerable progress toward the challenge goals.

30% FEASIBILITY & TEAM

The extent to which the capability of the contestant(s) can address all aspects of the proposed project with a high chance of success, including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant expertise, and time commitment of the contestant. 


Phase 2: Judging Criteria
Augmented Reality and Public Safety Use Case Training

Phase 2 evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

Compliance Testing (Pass/Fail)

  • Demonstration of Augmented Reality Heads-Up Displays or Hologram (10/10 pts.)
  • Waiver of the Requirements to Have a First Responder Entity as Part of Their Team (Pass/Fail)
  • Optional Prize: Demonstration of Public Safety Use Case In Emergency Scenario(s) (Pass/Fail)

Phase 3: Judging Criteria
AR Heads-Up Displays and Holograms Evaluation

Phase 3 evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

  • Compliance Testing (Pass/Fail)
  • Efficiency and Effectiveness of AR Interfaces (3/10 pts.)
  • User Satisfaction of AR Interfaces (5/10 pts.)
  • Ease of Use (2/10 pts.)

Phase 4: Judging Criteria
Live Competition at a Public Safety Training Center

Phase 4 evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

  • Compliance Testing (Pass/Fail)
  • Efficiency and Effectiveness of AR Interfaces (6/10 pts.)
  • User Satisfaction of AR Interface Prototypes (4/10 pts.)
  • Q&A and Presentation (10 pts. possible)

TIMELINE OVERVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emulate Smart City Data for Disaster Scenarios Contest

HOW TO ENTER

Phase 1: Concept Paper 

In the Concept Paper phase, all eligible participants are invited to submit a concept paper outlining their proposed team’s solution, approach, capabilities, knowledge, and skills. Participants must document their proposed solution structure for each of the four emergency scenarios, including the list of sensor data they would provide and a corresponding justification for their selection; their methodology for data acquisition and sources; and proposed physical hardware.

Participants will also need to demonstrate their experience with networking and socket programming and other abilities to create the hardware device that will transmit the emulated data in phases 3 and 4. Note: the network client must operate on an x86 platform, such as Raspberry PI, Windows, Linux or MacOS laptop computer. However, the proposed hardware for Phases 3 and 4 must operate on a system compatible with Raspberry Pi 4, Linux-based OS.

Participants’ concept papers will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts; the judging panel will evaluate and select up to 12 contestants to move forward to the next phase of the contest and to receive an award of $5,000 for prototype development. 

 

How to Enter


Review the phases and Official Rules; review the emergency scenarios and desired corresponding public safety tasks provided on the challenge website. By the May 6th deadline, submit a concept paper through the challenge website.

  • Register for the challenge by completing the registration form.
  • Review the PSCR provided four emergency scenarios included on the challenge website.
  • Disaster Scenario Links: Flood, Active Shooter, Mass Transit AccidentWildfire
  • Complete the submission requirements for the concept paper phase as your entry on the challenge website.
  • Note: Participants may only submit a concept paper for either the Emulate Smart City Data for Disaster Scenarios contest or the Build Augmented Reality Interfaces for First Responders contest, but not both.

Phase 1 Submission Requirements

COVER PAGE (1 PAGE)

  • Participant’s Name (Team, Organization or Company Name) and list of individual team member(s).
  • Participant’s Location (City, State/Region and Country).
  • Team Logo.
  • Official Representative and their preferred contact information (including email, phone, and physical mailing address).
  • Describe succinctly (500-word MAXIMUM): The unique aspects of the participant’s approach and the potential impact that the proposed approach could have in achieving the goals of the challenge.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (6 PAGES MAX)

Create your concept paper to address the following criteria: 

  • The participant’s knowledge, skills and capabilities as they relate to the goals of the challenge.
  • The participant’s proposed solution for each of the four emergency scenarios:
  • The participant’s knowledge, skills and capabilities as they relate to the goals of the challenge.
  • The participant’s proposed solution for each of the four emergency scenarios:
    • List of sensors’ data you would provide.
    • Proposed frequency for sensor data transmission.
    • A corresponding justification for their selection.
  • The methodology for data acquisition and sources.
  • Your proposed physical hardware.
  • The competitive advantage offered by the participant’s approach or solution.
  • The methodology for data acquisition and sources.
  • Your proposed physical hardware.
  • The competitive advantage offered by the participant’s approach or solution.

INFORMATION ABOUT KEY TEAM MEMBERS (2 PAGES)

The key team members and why they are well-suited to accomplish the project, with supporting information on their qualifications, skills and capabilities.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA

Phase 1: Evaluation Criteria
Concept Paper

Concept Papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

70% STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT & TECHNICAL OUTCOMES

The extent to which the proposed approach meets the objectives listed in the goals of the challenge.

The likelihood that the contestant’s solution, if successfully implemented, will have a significant real-world impact on public safety operations.

Contestant’s concept paper properly outlines their proposed sensors and justification, their data acquisition methodology and their proposed hardware.

30% FEASIBILITY & TEAM

The extent to which the capability of the contestant(s) can address all aspects of the proposed project with a high chance of success, including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant expertise, and time commitment of the contestant(s).

Phase 2: Evaluation Criteria
Demonstration of Data Streams

Phase 2 Evaluation will be based on a Compliance Test (Pass/Fail)

  • Contestant should provide a brief overview of the system, the scenarios that will be demonstrated, and the proposed functionality.
  • Contestant should show software initialization process and any configuration required to begin transmission of data.
  • Contestant should display terminal output of streaming data (and, optionally, a graphical user interface).  NOTE:  The GUI will be for demonstration purposes only and is outside of the scope of the challenge.
  • Contestant will create a demonstration terminal to show networked reception of the streaming data.

Phase 3: Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of Data Streams

Phase 3 Evaluation Criteria will be based on the following criteria:

  • Accuracy of Data Transmitted (20/100 pts.)
  • Implementation of Network Protocols (30/100 pts.)
  • Implementation of Data Types (40/100 pts.)
  • Ease of Use (20/100 pts.)

Phase 4: Evaluation Criteria
Live Competition at a
Public Safety Training Center

Phase 4 Evaluation Criteria will be based on the following criteria:

  • Compliance Testing (Pass/Fail)
  • AR Developers Utilization and Satisfaction (40/100 pts.)
  • Judges’ Satisfaction (50/100 pts.)
  • Q&A and Presentation (10/100 pts.)

TIMELINE OVERVIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenarios

1. Emergency Scenario: Active Shooter

Primary First Responders: Law Enforcement

Scenario Narrative

At approximately 9:30 AM an employee notices a masked individual entering her office complex.  The masked individual is carrying a large black bag and wearing a long trench coat. The employee thought this was odd and begins to walk away, grabbing her cell phone to notify the police. 

Upon picking up her cell phone, the employee begins hearing gunfire. The masked shooter has entered the reception area and has opened fire on multiple employees. 

The receptionist who was on the phone, was the first person killed. The masked shooter begins to look for more employees to shoot.  

Thirty to forty people work in the office. Doors are being slammed shut, and the sounds of people yelling could be heard throughout the entire office space. 

9:57 AM a 911 operator reported receives the following call: 

  • Caller: Someone is shooting. I’ve heard five or six shots. People are screaming. There’s another shot.
  • Operator: What is your location?
  • Caller: The Misfortuneville Office Complex.
  • Operator: Who is shooting?
  • Caller: A masked man.
  • Operator: Where inside the complex is the shooting?
  • Caller: On the third floor in the Financial Center.
  • Operator: Where are you?
  • Caller: I am hiding in my office.
  • Operator: Can you see the shooter?
  • Caller: No.

At 10:15 AM, approximately ten police department patrol cars arrive on the scene. The dispatcher indicates all recent calls are reporting a shooting inside the Financial Center, on the third floor, but no additional details. 

Two officers are positioned next to the main company elevator when the elevator doors open. People rush out the doors. Additional police officers enter the building and are heading to the elevators and emergency stairwells. 

Incident Command Tasks

  • Track shooter
  • Deploy SWAT personnel
  • Track people evacuating
  • Monitor evacuation routes
  • Overplay other conditions (fire, fire alarms, smoke, etc.)
  • Monitor Traffic Conditions
  • Coordinate with computer aided dispatch (CAD) system data.
  • Detect injured individuals
  • Detect location of people hiding
  • Detect suspicious objects/improvised explosive device (IED)
  • Assess building level data (locked doors, alarms, etc.)

Hologram Use Case

  • Enhanced resource deployment using local maps and CCTV security cameras to determine ingress/egress point for response
  • Building-level disarmament, using power grid, determine if/when to shut off power to building to support responding assets

First Responder Tasks

  • Engaging shooter via ingress/egress location points
  • Defusing IED
  • Preparing for treatment/staging/transport/triage of victims
  • Helping people evacuate
  • Locating/treating injured victims

Heads Up Displays 

Use Case

  • Geospatial driven victim identification: Correctly identifying number and location of victims and shooters using drone/ball camera feed
  • Identifying ingress/egress points to identify appropriate entry point to engage with shooter
  • Tactical response decision-making
  • Real-Time IED Assessment – evaluation of suspicious package using drone/robot with chemical sensor – determine whether to detonate/etc.
  • Track timeline to detect gunshots
  • Notification of location of wounded/hiding individual

2. Emergency Scenario: Flood

Primary First Responders: Emergency Medical Service, Fire Service, and Law Enforcement

Scenario Narrative

Misfortuneville, U.S.A.  has a state-of-the-art emergency preparedness/response center, and the city itself has been outfitted with the newest sensors to keep its residents safe. None of that’s important right now. This morning, the National Weather Service reported strong storms in the area during the afternoon, and alerted residents to stay alert for flash flooding.

At 2:00 PM, the rain began at a rate of 3” per hour and was projected to move along within the hour. Being flood prone, the city is equipped with flood water level sensors in low lying areas. These sensors were activated at 2:30 PM and showed 4” of standing water already. This information was electronically distributed to emergency dispatch maps for use in communication.

At 3:00 PM, the National Weather Service indicated that although the storm had been originally indicated to exit the area in a short period of time, the storm had stalled, and rain could be expected to continue over Misfortuneville, U.S.A. for the next few hours. The original flood watch was upped to a flood warning.

At 3:30 PM, the city established its emergency flood response center in preparation for a prolonged rain event. The emergency flood response center personnel included the city emergency manager, public works manager, and dispatch personnel. Both the city officials and the dispatch personnel have access to a situational awareness platform showing the state of the city at the current time or a projected time in the future. This platform was also available to incident command and apparatus at localized incidents.

Incident Command Tasks

The emergency center’s main concern was resident safety, and to accomplish this, they prepared to execute the following tasks:

  • Establishment of first responder flood rescue teams
  • Blockade of already flooded areas
  • Identification of victims and rescue assistance
  • Notification of residents in harm’s way
  • Identification and assessment of infrastructure assets at risk (such as city sewers)

Hologram Use Cases

  • Enhancing city-level decision-making
    • Rapid decision making on road closures/gate closures based on water level data overlaid with floodplain and city view maps
    • First Responder deployment decision on sending in divers and where to send in divers for rescue based on hazardous materials in water data and current flows
  • Deploying resources and personnel with geographic precision and real-time data flows
    • Selecting where to send assets based on drone sensor data locating victims on roof tops
    • Decision analysis on sending in divers and where to send in divers for rescue based on hazmat in water data and current flows

First Responder Tasks

The emergency center’s main concern was resident safety, and to accomplish this, they prepared to execute the following tasks:

  • Notifying and evacuating residential and business areas located in potential flooding areas
  • Rescuing of those that have been caught in existing flooding
  • Creating clearance for driving through water, withstanding force of water
  • Forecasting water speed/direction/quality levels
  • Mapping hazardous materials

Heads-up Display
Use Cases

  • Intelligent location and mapping ability using submarine sonar data to avoid large obstacles and hazards
  • Advise on depth of water on roadways using water depth sensors
  • Notification of incoming rising water using water level, rain, and sewer runoff sensors
  • Alerts of water speed using water speed sensors

Emergency Scenario: Mass Transit Accident

Primary First Responders: Emergency Medical Service and Fire Service

Scenario Narrative

 There is a train derailment with associated fire and smoke. Passengers call 911 and report the incident. Sensors on the tracks locate where the derailment occurred and nature of the cars (e.g., on/off tracks). CCTV security cameras inside tunnel show real-time footage of the smoke from the trains. Sensors on the cars indicate number of passengers in each car and status of the doors and emergency exits. Additional sensors in the tunnel share smoke levels, temperature, CO2, emergency lighting, and status of the rail (3rd Rail) that is electrified. 

Additional sensors are available in the station including environmental sensors indicating smoke and CO2 entering. Firefighters respond to the area at the next station up and are able to load a fire suppression unit on the tracks to respond to the fire. Responders travel down the tracks and locate the front car  of the train. Various communications occur throughout the event. Responders attack the fire and then proceed to open up the side doors and evacuate the passengers inside.  

Due to heavy smoke, responders could not see the train in the tunnel until they were right next to it. Radio communication was sporadic in the subway stations and tunnels. The side door of the train required special keys and would not open for passengers. One person on the train was found unconscious. The following were dispatched: 

  • 5 Engine Companies
  • 2 Ladder Trucks
  • 2 Battalion Fire Chiefs
  • 1 Battalion Fire Chief to Operations Command Center
  • 1 Heavy Rescue Squad
  • 1 Basic Life Support Unit
  • 1 Advanced Life Support Unit
  • 1 Emergency Medical Services Supervisor

Passengers and pedestrians near the subway station were evacuated. Rescue personnel estimate that the evacuation was completed by 16:25.

Incident Command Tasks

  • Identifying location of metro cars, number of passengers in cars
  • Identifying and leveraging CCTV security cameras streams in cars or metro terminal
  • Track first responders in the field
  • Assessing infrastructure and integrity of physical structures
  • Viewing live situations and advising/drawing feedback to inform first responders

Hologram Use Case

  • Visualizing underground pathways for pre-incident planning
  • Collecting and analyzing real-time environmental data using air quality and smoke sensors
  • Mapping optimal navigation routes for first responders

First Responder Tasks

  • Identifying if 3rd Rail is safe
  • Identifying and mitigating risks such as smoke or fire
  • Locating and evacuating victims
  • Triaging victims
  • Identifying damage to critical infrastructure

Heads Up Display 

Use Case

  • Tracking air quality and smoke levels in real-time
  • Collecting and showcasing real-time information on status of victims and metro crash
  • Receiving navigation guidance and information to traverse through dark tunnels

Emergency Scenario: Wildfire

Primary First Responders: Fire Service and Emergency Medical Service

Scenario Narrative

Last Friday, a wildfire started in the mountains above Misfortuneville, U.S.A. Firefighters suspect the fire originated at a camp site located off of I-70. 

Today at 8:00 AM, although the fire continues to burn in remote areas, firefighters have made significant progress in recent days, containing approximately 75-80% of the fire aided by unexpected rain showers and calmer winds. Evacuation orders have been lifted for Misfortuneville, U.S.A., but hundreds of people remain in shelters, awaiting permission to return to their homes. Local law enforcement has restricted access to heavily damaged areas and established a curfew in some portions of the community to prevent looting. Power remains out in several major residential areas. 

Firefighters are tasked with assessing assets still at risk, identifying the burn areas, and containing the rest of the fire before it has a chance to spread to other cities and towns. An air tanker is seeking information to drop water and fire retardant onto areas of the wildfire. The job of the firefighters is to eliminate three areas where the fire is at its most intense levels to prevent further damage.

Incident Command Tasks

  • Identify victims or assets at risk
  • Identify water resources/foam resources
  • Track resources (e.g., personnel movement)
  • Receive updated temperature scans
  • Vehicle locator, command, basecamps, etc.
  • Establish geographic knowledge of area
  • Establish neighborhood-level understanding of # of residents and # of businesses in at-risk areas

Hologram Use Case

  • Visualizing and forecasting speed, intensity, and direction of fire
  • Visualizing and forecasting areas to evacuate based on wildfire models
  • Deploying wildfire personnel to target areas
  • Indicating to air tankers, optimal area to drop water and fire retardant

First Responder Tasks

  • Containing fire
  • Establishing trench lines
  • Evacuating victims
  • Maintaining safety of other fire personnel and team members
  • Identifying safe locations

Heads Up Displays Use Case

  • Assessing dry/dangerous conditions using drone footage
  • Conducting thermal mapping of environment using environmental data
  • Tracking windspeed and wind direction
  • Tracking movement of people
  • Evaluating dangerous air conditions (smoke/toxins) using air quality sensors
  • Overlaying infrastructure maps to identify and prevent damage
  • Feeding information from command interfaces for first responder coordination
  • Overlaying 3D mapping and navigation  information
Timeline
Forum2
Teams24
Rules