About the Ultra-High Speed Apps Challenge
NIJ created the Ultra-High Speed (UHS) Application Challenge to encourage software developers and public safety professionals to take advantage of public domain data and UHS bandwidth systems with apps that significantly improve criminal justice or public safety services and operations. Currently, most app developers optimize their software for slower and lower capacity networks. The prospect of UHS networks capable of transferring large amounts of data more quickly and reliably creates new opportunities for developers.
The challenge was created with guidance from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and US Ignite.
The challenge was held in two phases. NIJ selected five of 15 Phase I proposals to participate in Phase II, which involved developing a working prototype of the app. NIJ selected three winning entries from Phase II to share the prize of $150,000.
Challenge Winners
NIJ selected three winning entries from among the Phase II contestants. The winning entries provide real-time and individually tailored information to practitioners in rapidly evolving emergency situations, as well as opening doors to more powerful analytical and management tools. The winners are:
First Place: City of Ammon, school emergency screencast application
Prize: $75,000
The school emergency screencast application works with a school’s existing camera systems, UHS bandwidth and gunshot detection hardware to report gunshot fire immediately to first responders. Emergency personnel can then turn on the video and audio feeds to identify the shooter, providing potentially life-saving information that can improve response time and tactical decisions.
Second Place: City of Torrance, UHS mapping application
Prize: $50,000
The UHS Mapping application empowers individual businesses, schools and other building owners to share their location and other data, such as maps, floor plans, parking structures, video, dangerous chemicals list, with first responders. This can improve first responder safety and facilitate field operations, particularly in high-risk incidents.
Third Place: Forensic Logic, Inc., LEAP Network video application
Prize: $25,000
The LEAP network connects public CCTV with law enforcement records and open-source GIS platforms. This allows law enforcement agencies to search video feeds from a range of video management software live or after a crime is reported. The system is capable of connecting to body-worn or dashboard cameras and allowing private CCTV or video clips filmed by the public to be uploaded.
More information on the NIJ Ultra-High-Speed Apps Challenge is available at http://nij.gov/funding/Pages/fy13-ultra-high-speed-apps-challenge.aspx