NEST focuses on the design and implementation of a novel and unique standoff system with the capability to detect multiple threats amongst which CBRN threats or pandemic viruses. As the day-to-day protection of commercial and transport facilities is the responsibility of the owners and operators, in close cooperation with local law enforcement, NEST aims to support owners, operators, and security staff by providing (i) threat indications and warnings, and (ii) guidance for facility security by developing appropriate information-sharing and analysis mechanisms. The system envisioned relies on simultaneous use of low-cost CBRN detectors embedded in one unique detection equipment, which can be located into different sites inside the building or carried by security staff. The use of low-cost sensors will enable to cover a wide space inside.
NEST is designed to help in the early detection and continuous monitoring of CBRN threats in real time, and provide complementary information (location of threats, temperature, humidity, time, operators involved, etc.) useful for auditing or investigation purposes. These functionalities will be achieved by using an IoT platform capable of acquiring, processing, and merging data from internal and third-party services. Artificial intelligence will be applied to support decision process for securing facilities and for generating automatic alerts. Furthermore, augmented reality will be used to display threats and hazards in a manner that minimise distraction and cognitive failures. NEST will be validated in three different scenarios within the transport and commercial sectors. These scenarios include a diverse range of sites that draw large crowds of people. NEST will share information with the command centres of a stadium, a transport system, and a hotel to assess the risk situation.
