Connected Places Catapult has announced it has begun accepting applications for a new High Assurance Detection Systems (HADeS) competition.
The competition, which is being organised by Catapult on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT), aims to find & discover new technologies to enhance alarm resolution and operating concepts with the potential to provide innovations to UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capacities.
Offering funding of up to 500 thousand GBP, applications are to be assessed against two tracks, both of which correspond to a solution’s ‘technology readiness level’ (TRL).
Aviation, Maritime & Security Minister, Mike Kane, said:The safety of passengers is our top priority, and that’s why we’re investing in competitions like this, to support innovators to develop the robust screening technology needed for the future.
Working with the Connected Places Catapult, we intend to strengthen UK airport security even further, so that we can all continue to travel with peace of mind.
Track 1, which concerns ‘Emerging Security Innovations’ (TRL 2-3), aims to provide grants of up to 45 thousand GBP to security technology in the very early stages of development, with the programme team seeking long-term solutions for airport security detection systems.
Track 2, ‘Evolving Security Innovations’, will provide grants of up to 80 thousand GBP to security projects at a midway point in their development stages with proposals focusing on medium term solutions preferred, such as those with the potential for development into any NGSC mid-life upgrade.
In addition to both Tracks 1 & 2, there is an opportunity for companies developing solutions beyond TRL 5 to apply in order to gain support for concepts that offer nearer term solutions, such as enhancements to current NGSC equipment. These proposals, however, will be assessed and considered by DfT separately.
Across the two main tracks, up to eight projects will be chosen to expand upon their ideas as part of a 6-month programme, which includes bespoke business support workshops from Catapult experts in partnership with DfT.
Erika Lewis, Chief Executive at Connected Places Catapult, said:This competition seeks to further develop a resilient and efficient security ecosystem, ensuring that UK airports are equipped to detect and deter future threats while maintaining efficient operations.
If you have a solution that could help upgrade current security systems or deliver the next generation of checkpoints, I encourage you to apply.
Prospective applicants are able to submit proposals until 5pm on 13 December 2024.
