A new wearable, cost effective and non-invasive biometric solution for accurate and high throughput screening of people, bags and vehicles

Project Information

Bio-AX

Grant agreement ID: 673969

DOI

10.3030/673969

Project closed

EC signature date 26 June 2015

Start date 1 June 2015

End date 31 August 2015

Funded under

• Secure societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

AUDAX GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Bio-AX (A new wearable, cost effective and non-invasive biometric solution for accurate and high throughput screening of people, bags and vehicles)

Reporting period: 2015-06-01 to 2015-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Audax Global Solutions Ltd. (www.audaxuk.com) is a company at the forefront of mobile, digital evidence gathering technology which focuses on the delivery and development of mobile digital evidence gathering products and services. With an office in Plymouth UK, we have been developing technical solutions for a number of years and have an enviable track record in bringing new exciting products to the market. The Audax team consists of some of the most knowledgeable experts in the industry who are committed to offer groundbreaking innovative solutions and excellent customer service. Our team is made up of a blend of experience from Police, Army, Navy and Government Sector backgrounds.
Our industry is in the evidence gathering technology, in particular Body Worn Video (BWV) systems and forensics. Body worn video (BWV) is a video recording system that is typically utilised by law enforcement to record their interactions with the public or gather video evidence at crime scenes. Audax was the first company to demonstrate the benefits of BWV and Headcams on July 2005 at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. Since then we have also sold to security organisations in the UK, USA, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, Serbia, Dubai, Jordan, Czech Republic, Holland, Portugal, France, Lebanon (UN), Vietnam, Singapore and NATO.
Our novel product, BIO-AX™, is a cost-effective and modular biometric body-worn video system for accurate and high throughput screening of people, bags and vehicles. BIO-AX™ brings numerous unique benefits to various vertical markets in the security market, including law enforcement, security and mass transit transport buildings (airports, ports, train stations), immigration control, hazard area response teams (fire and ambulance) and sports ground safety.
Audax carried out a Feasibility Study through H2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 funding. In the study we have analysed and iterated the product through constructive customer development, analysed the local and global market and industry trends, assessed competitive landscape, determined how we can protect our Intellectual Property Rights, assessed business and technological risks, identified organisational gaps, drew a financial plan and a work plan. The outcome is that BIO-AX™ is possible, feasible, viable, profitable, sustainable and key for our business growth and competitive edge. Audax will continue pursuing this project.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Overview of the Work done
This report is an overview of the work done during the execution of this Phase 1. In the proposal eight tasks were defined. Each one of this task served for the preparation of a feasibility study, which is the main deliverable of this Phase 1 and is also the starting point to prepare a Phase 2 proposal. Feasibility Study took us approximately 3 months to complete and compile.
During the execution of this Phase 1 an in-depth industry and market assessment was made in order to study and determine the market climate, customer needs and to estimate sales for three years after product launch. In the second task, we created dissemination material (brochures) to communicate the purpose, benefits and features of BIO-AX™ to our customers. In the third task, we analyzed operational and technological feasibility and found ways how to mitigate the risks. The fourth task consisted of an economic feasibility study. A thorough risk assessment on the Audax business and BIO-AX™ project implementation was carried out in Task 6. We selected a strong customer for pilot testing Management. An IPR attorney was contracted to determine �freedom to operate� with the trademark BIO-AX™ in the EU and USA. Finally we have drafted a work plan for the product development (TRL9), dissemination, demonstration and commercialization of BIO-AX™.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Feasibility Study reveals that BIO-AX™ is key to our business growth, possible, feasible, viable, profitable and sustainable. Audax Global Solutions Ltd. intends to continue with the development of this project. We foresee no changes in the objectives that were set prior to Phase 1 submission. On the contrary, after interviews with customers, market research and in light of new events (increased riots and crime/terrorist threats) we expect a greater impact of our new technology to the stakeholders (law enforcement, transport building security, rapid emergency rescue teams, military, private security guards etc).

Stakeholders will benefit from a tool that will allow them to efficiently screen people, bags and vehicles with high throughput and accuracy. Our product will help reduce crime, improve situational awareness, save time and money, improve staff safety and professionalism and gather accurate evidence data that is recognized in courts.

BIO-AX™ - AUDAX next generation of biometric body worn video system