Israel plans to incorporate cutting-edge technology into police work with the aim of streamlining operations, preventing technical failures and promoting organizational efficiency.
The Israel Police's Innovation Department, formed in 2017, is heading the effort to introduce artificial intelligence, as well as an array of other groundbreaking technologies, into daily law enforcement operations.
To promote the initiative, the police recently held a competition in which designers, developers and entrepreneurs teamed up with police and other defense experts and were given 32 hours to develop a potential prototype.
A panel of senior police officers, academics and business experts chose the three best products, and the developers will now continue to work on them, with logistical and financial support from the police, academics and professionals.
The first prototype uses an AI system to identify potential violence or vandalism in detention facilities. Using movement recognition software and intelligent cameras, the system tracks detainees and alerts staff to any unusual behavior or action.
The second product is a smart system for managing vehicles and parking spaces, based on the global model of car-sharing. The system enables police personnel to share vehicles, alleviating parking issues in police facilities. A special application will enable each facility to manage the use of vehicles and track their locations when parked.
The third prototype is a smart system for automatic scrutiny of the maintenance of emergency generators. The system uses audio technology to scan the sounds emitted by a generator's engine to check whether it is functioning as expected.
The police aim to accelerate the development of each system and hope to incorporate them into police work as soon as possible.
