About This Challenge

The Team Awareness Kit (TAK) and Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) software platforms were developed by Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) scientists and engineers. Originally used by United States Special Operations forces and warfighters, this platform has now been adapted to a civilian version which supports domestic government programs and commercial industries. Examples of this civilian platform utilization includes hurricane response, wildfires, and event management. As a long-term partner of AFRL, Griffiss Institute works to expand the availability and usage of the TAK and ATAK systems.

Mastering Large-Scale Event Coordination with Advanced Technology Future State: Large-scale public events, such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, or political rallies, involve the convergence of massive crowds, numerous stakeholders, and complex logistics. Successful execution of these events demands flawless coordination, real-time communication, and situational awareness to ensure safety, security, and seamless operations.

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Your Challenge

This hackathon challenges you to revolutionize the coordination of large-scale public events by leveraging cutting-edge technology, such as the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and its civilian version (CivTAK). Your solutions should empower event organizers, security teams, public services, and volunteers with enhanced capabilities to manage every aspect of the event, from planning to execution, and crisis management.

Some ideas to consider:

• Integrated Event Management: Develop a comprehensive system using ATAK/CivTAK that integrates all event management aspects, including security, logistics, crowd control, and emergency response, into a unified platform. Your solution should allow real-time updates, geospatial analysis, and efficient communication among all stakeholders.
• Security and Crowd Control: Design a tool that enhances security operations during large-scale events. This could include advanced geofencing, real-time tracking of security personnel, and crowd density analysis to prevent bottlenecks or potential hazards. Consider implementing AI-driven predictive analytics to foresee potential issues before they escalate.
• Volunteer and Staff Coordination: Create a solution that streamlines the coordination of volunteers and staff. This could involve task assignment, real-time location tracking, and secure communication channels to ensure that everyone is in the right place at the right time, and any changes or emergencies are communicated instantly.
• Public Safety and Emergency Response: Build a module within ATAK/CivTAK that enables swift and coordinated responses to emergencies, such as medical incidents or security breaches. Your solution should allow for the rapid deployment of resources, real-time incident reporting, and dynamic route planning to guide first responders.
• Participant Experience: Consider the experience of event attendees. Develop a feature that enhances their experience by providing real-time information on event schedules, emergency alerts, or even a virtual map to navigate large venues. Integration with social media platforms for live updates and announcements could also be a part of this solution.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Propose a solution that collects and analyzes data from various sources (social media, sensors, public reports) to give event organizers actionable insights. This could help in making real-time decisions about crowd control, security measures, and emergency responses.
• Post-Event Analysis and Feedback: Implement tools for post-event analysis that gather data on what went well and what didn’t. This could include participant feedback, security incidents, and logistical challenges. The insights generated can be used to improve future events.
• Scenario Execution: Your challenge is to develop and demonstrate a solution that effectively coordinates a large-scale public event in a complex, multi-faceted scenario. Consider everything from pre-event planning to post-event debriefing, focusing on how your technology can streamline operations, enhance security, and improve the overall event experience.
• Multi-Stakeholder Integration: Events like these require collaboration between different agencies and teams—security, emergency services, event management, and public relations. Your solution should enable seamless integration of currently disconnected datasets and communication channels, facilitating a more coordinated approach to event management.
• Technology Fusion: Incorporate other technologies such as drones, IoT devices, AI-driven analytics, or AR/VR into your solution to provide additional layers of situational awareness, real-time data collection, and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

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Background

The Android Team Awareness Kit, ATAK for short, is a technology developed by AFRL scientists and engineers, and over the past several years of using and refining in real-world combat zones by Special Operations forces and warfighters, this technology was has been adapted to fit the missions of local, state, and federal agencies. ATAK users, or “operators”, can be anyone ranging from volunteers, to military and law enforcement. Using ATAK operators can view the location of other operators and potential hazards, a major advantage over only relying on hand-held radio transmissions for communications and awareness. ATAK is currently in use by over 40,000 DoD, DHS, and military users; 32,000 nonfederal users; and 100 commercial licensees. More information can be found at the Air Force Research Laboratory website.

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Griffiss InstituteThe Griffiss Institute aims to develop the next generation of STEM talent and defense technologies that will strengthen U.S. national security and create economic opportunity for their region, state and nation. As a Partnership Intermediary, the Griffiss Institute performs services for the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate that increases the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with small business firms, institutions of higher education, and industry.

Challenge Administration: The challenge registration and submission portal are administered by a contractor, Blue Clarity LLC, in support of the Griffiss Institute.