The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is launching a new prize competition to advance incident command dashboard technologies that would allow for real-time tracking of assets, personnel and objects of interest during emergency scenarios.

Through the Command Dashboard Integrating Next-Gen, or CommanDING, Tech Challenge, NIST will bring together first responders, video analytics and indoor localisation professionals, public safety experts and participants to advance and enhance the role of incident command dashboards for public safety.

Challenge participants will leverage next-generation technology such as 3D laser scans of buildings, indoor location tracking technology, video analytics, Internet of Things and personal area data networks, learning how to integrate them to offer high-functioning, user-friendly incident command dashboards for first responders. Participants may submit dashboards designed in virtual reality, augmented reality, web-based, mobile, etc, but must ensure that the dashboard is accessible for use in a mobile environment by first responders. 

The competition is now accepting entries and will have multiple stages running through to April 2023.

Up to $1 million will be awarded in prizes throughout four stages of the challenge. Prize recipients will be determined by a panel of judges, and assisted by a team of subject matter experts through each stage of the competition.

Background information

The goal of this Challenge is to leverage existing technology both within and beyond the incident command space and incentivize improving the quality, usability, and functionality of incident command dashboards for first responders. Existing dashboards are often limited by the quality of their user interface, ability to access data, or the cost to the public safety organization. As a result, public safety responders still rely on manual methods of staging and responding to an emergency situation. This Challenge aims to bring forward dashboards using multiple technologies, including VR, AR, mobile, and web-based solutions. All submissions for the Challenge must demonstrate an improvement to their updated dashboard throughout the Challenge. Public safety experts and video and data analytics professionals will support the Challenge, helping Contestants advance and enhance the state of the art of incident command dashboards.