Each sound and odor has a distinct signature which when detected amidst high noise conditions can offer a superior level of protection and knowledge. Over the last six years, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and DARPA have funded research at University of Southern California and Tufts University Medical School on advanced neural networking algorithms (Dynamic Synapse Neural Network DSNN) to discriminate voice amid high noise environments; and on detection of buried landmines based upon their vapor phase chemical signature respectively. CogniScent and Safety Dynamics are commercializing the results of the research, and under this SBIR will focus on two major achievements. The first is to identify and design a smart detection around one each representative sound and smell in a battlefield environment; and second, design a mobile, light weight, networked version of the ears and nose that can be carried into battle by soldiers.
Benefits: A soldier equipped with a light weight smart sensor that provides early warning and general direction of threats, whether they be enemy personnel, explosives, or chemical agent is one who proceeds into battle with higher morale and confidence in victory. The reason -- he feels safer and better prepared than the enemy. Commercially, in every occasion where dogs are used for search and rescue, or where video monitoring is not allowed (i.e. public restrooms, changing rooms, etc.), a combination of acoustic and chemical detection at a low cost can change the appeal of these facilities for would be terrorists (bombs in trash bind), violators of policy (i.e. smoking, drugs), and a mechanism for passive monitoring for calls for help, falling bodies, even bullets being chambered.
Keywords: sensors, chemical detection, explosive detection, acoustic recognition, mobile sensors
