Gunshot detection systems no longer require dedicated specialist sensors, and can now easily run on mobile phones and smartwatches.
One such system, Triangula, was on display the Securex exhibition at Gallagher Estate last week. The system can be deployed in minutes by installing the Triangula Scout app on three or more supported devices, which can include Apple Watch Ultras. No special hardware is required, and no calibration process is necessary. The gunshot detection is close to real-time, and the system can cover large areas in diverse environments.
Triangula uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and separate the sounds of the muzzle blast from weapons to position gunshots, identify weapons (including calibre and if a silencer was used) and estimate gunshot directions – direction can be indicated on phones and watches fitted with magnetic compasses. It can distinguish between false alarms like cars backfiring and fireworks, for example, and be used to detect explosions, making it useful for identifying ATM and cash-in-transit (CIT) heists.
Triangula can map a shooter within four seconds, out to two kilometres – accuracy is less than 10 metres of the shot. Shot processing is done immediately, unlike many other systems that send data for analysis, which could take up to 60 seconds. As a specialised acoustic sensor is not necessary, Triangula does not need a high speed data connection.
The Triangula system was being showcased by South African company Risk Diversion, which specialises in forensic services (computer forensics, mobile device, and internet forensics). At Securex, the gunshot detection system was integrated into a control room in an ICP REVA Security vehicle as well as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which could be used to automatically fly out to where a gunshot was detected.
Risk Diversion Director Peter Fryer told ProtectionWeb that the drone can deploy autonomously within four seconds to investigate a gunshot. As Triangula sends cursor on target (CoT) data, any drone capable of receiving such data can be used to respond.
At the Securex demonstration, drone footage was being fed to a control station that was also linked with dashcam, body cam and other data to provide a complete command and control picture. Fryer explained that the system can do numberplate recognition, mobile phone detection, and more.
Also being showcased by Risk Diversion was the innovative Protectile less lethal solution. Designed to render conventional bullets less-lethal, when attached to a firearm it encases the factory ammunition in a plastic ball in order to avoid fatal injury. The plug of the Protectile is inserted into the muzzle of the barrel and a live round is fired. The lethal bullet is captured safely within the Protectile, hitting its target at about 100 joules – this equals a hard punch from a boxer. Effective range is up to ten metres. Protectile is an affordable less-lethal solution, uses existing weapons and ammunition, and allows for use of live rounds after firing the Protectile.
Risk Diversion specialises mainly in digital forensic services, and to this effect offers facilities for computer forensics, mobile forensics, video and audio forensics and cyber security, intelligence and analysis. The company has been working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on digital forensic services since 2002. Its primary focus is on providing forensic services to law enforcement and security companies across the sub-Saharan African region.
The post Gunshot detection goes mobile: app turns phones and smartwatches into instant security sensors appeared first on ProtectionWeb.
The post Gunshot detection goes mobile: app turns phones and smartwatches into instant security sensors appeared first on defenceWeb.
