An important milestone in the TARGET “Training Augmented Reality Generalised Environment Toolkit” project has arrived, with autumn 2017 being dedicated to testing version one of the platform.
About Target
Launched in May 2015 and scheduled to end in October 2018, TARGET is a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The project consortium gathers 16 partner organisations from 9 EU member states including Luxembourg. TARGET is developing the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality (AVR) and serious gaming techniques to train and assess Security Critical Agents (SCA), including police, fire, emergency medical services, counter terrorism units, border guards and critical infrastructure operators.
TARGET seamlessly blends different approaches allowing AVR systems to be connected to geo-spatial and assessment tools and it also incorporates the use of 3D models captured from advanced photogrammetry drones. TARGET uses state-of-the-art technologies such as Microsoft Hololens and instrumented real objects to create new mixed reality worlds for use in high stress security training situations. The aim is to improve training while also making it more customisable, cheaper and safer.
Focus on the already completed Trials
Each of the end user partner agencies trailed version one of the AVR solutions and Training Contents in a series of trials during September and October 2017. By testing the AVR solutions in real-life training environments with operational Security Critical Agents (SCA), the trials will provide extremely useful feedback to the technical teams for the continued development of the software and hardware, which is scheduled to reach final status in October 2018.
- TARGET’s inaugural training scenario (TC) trial exercise took on 20-21 September 2017 in Oranienburg (DE). The Fachhochschule der Polizei des Landes Brandenburg (FHPOL BB) hosted four TARGET partners (LIST, Fraunhofer IVI, ATRISc and ARTTIC) for the two day command and control training exercise of TC2: Protecting a critical infrastructure and dealing with crowds during a mass demonstration. <link https: www.list.lu http: _blank>Watch the Trial on TARGET video channel.
- The second TARGET training scenario (TC) trial exercise took on 28-29 September 2017 in Münster (DE). The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei (DHPOL) hosted four TARGET partners (LIST, Fraunhofer IVI, ATRISc and ARTTIC) for the two day Augmented & Virtual Reality training exercise of TC6: Dealing with a major road accident involving multiple cars, victims and high risk of explosion. <link https: www.youtube.com _top link-1>Watch the trial on TARGET video channel.
- The TC5 Trial “Arrest of suspects after their car crash” took place in Saint Cyr au Mont d’Or, a suburb of Lyon (FR) on 3-5 October 2017. The Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Police hosted four TARGET Partners (LIST, ATRISc, ARTTIC and Guardia Civil) for the 3 day exercise. <link https: www.youtube.com _blank link-1>Watch the trial on TARGET video channel.
Other training scenarios are still ongoing and will be communicated soon via the TARGET community.
LIST & TARGET
LIST is the technical co-ordinator of the TARGET project and leads the overall research and development through collaboration with other partners. LIST’s own work focuses on developing mixed reality environments which combine realities, such as allowing connections between real world objects and augmented and virtual reality headsets and partner supplied geo-spatial systems. LIST’s mixed reality work includes developing systems to support: 3D assets, 3D character animations recorded using a motion capture suit, interaction with real world objects (including weapons and simulated physical measuring devices for radiological incidents), gamification to support training outcomes and tools to support the creation and management of live training scenarios.
LIST worked alongside the security organisations to identify their precise training requirements and then developed innovative technical solutions to meet their needs. The next version of TARGET is scheduled for June 2018. LIST's AVR solutions are also suitable for use outside of the security training domain.
> Anyone interested in finding out more about TARGET is invited to browse the website and to join the TARGET Community.
> For any further information related to LIST activities in the field, please contact Dr Roderick Mc Call or Maël Cornil via email.