TESTUDO’s technical and scientific work is advancing as planned. Below is a summary of progress by work package:
Risk assessment and requirements definition (WP3): User and security requirements and the use cases were defined in detail with active end-user participation. A comprehensive risk analysis identified physical and cybersecurity vulnerabilities in specific infrastructures, informing tailored requirements for enhanced resilience. Special emphasis was placed on legal and ethical requirements for CIP and data processing. The TESTUDO platform architecture was defined, including design and technical considerations for integrating key assets (UxVs, sensors, legacy systems, autonomous capabilities, detection and prediction modules and user interfaces).
Augmented sensing and communications for effective autonomy v1 (WP4): Novel sensing components for autonomous CI surveillance were identified and initially developed, including mobile sensors on UxVs, fixed sensory systems and 3D mapping using UAV imagery, enhancing synergy of heterogeneous surveillance assets. A secure, robust network architecture and an interoperable data model were designed to support efficient and secure data exchange.
Artificial cognitive intelligence for threat identification v1 (WP6): Significant progress was made in developing AI-based cognitive models for surveillance, focusing on high-performance threat identification. Detection models for object identification (visual and thermal spectrum, and visual on embedded platforms), activity recognition, CBRN threats, and cyber-attacks were designed and initially for integration into TESTUDO prototypes.
Predictive intelligence, operational support and platform implementation v1 (WP8): Initial versions of multimodal fusion techniques, advanced prediction models, and an enhanced monitoring centre with improved HMI were developed. A fusion model for integrating multimodal data, an XAI tool for evasion attack detection ,and a prediction analysis tool for chemical fires were introduced. The cyber-attack detection model, fusion model, and Monitoring Centre were successfully integrated into the first TESTUDO prototype, laying the foundation for subsequent full system integration.
Large-scale pilot execution and evaluation (WP10): Substantial activities were performed in organising large-scale pilots and developing evaluation strategies to validate prototype performance, as well as training plans for platform users. TESTUDO’s first prototype was evaluated through an online operational test during UC1, and preparations for the UC2 and UC3 demonstrations are ongoing. Overall, the project is progressing towards delivering and testing a highly mature platform for continuous CI monitoring, focusing on autonomy and resilience.
