University of Wisconsin to Test AI-Powered Security System

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/21/22

Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. recently announced that it has signed an agreement with the University of Wisconsin Police Department (UWPD) to test a new security detection walkthrough portal on campus. Liberty, a provider of technology for concealed weapons and threat detection solutions, is in the process of beta testing its new HEXWAVE security system, which uses a combination of low-power radar imaging and artificial intelligence to detect concealed weapons.

According to a news release, HEXWAVE can test for both metallic and nonmetallic weapons (like 3D-printed guns). It also facilitates an easy throughput, as all students and faculty have to do is walk through its panels to keep traffic flow and social distance in mind. The technology is touchless, and it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

UW-Madison is the oldest and largest public university in Wisconsin. The university police department has said it is always looking for ways to enhance campus safety and security without compromising on a positive student experience.

“The security of our campus is, of course, a top priority,” said Kristen Roman, Chief of Police at UW-Madison. “We are excited to have the opportunity to be the first campus to test this new technology. We understand how important it is for organizations to keep innovating when it comes to security, and we look forward to kicking off the testing in 2022.”

The product’s beta testing is set to begin in the second quarter of 2022 and continue into the third quarter. Liberty Defense has also signed a collaboration agreement with the Maryland Stadium Authority’s Camden Yards complex to test the HEXWAVE solution there, as well.

“It is a privilege to work with the University of Wisconsin and its police department, such a well-established and respected educational institution that is looking for innovative ways to keep the campus community safe,” said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • How One School Reimagined Learning Spaces—and What Others Can Learn

    When Collegedale Academy, a PreK–8 school outside Chattanooga, Tenn., needed a new elementary building, we faced the choice that many school leaders eventually confront: repair an aging facility or reimagine what learning spaces could be. Our historic elementary school held decades of memories for families, including some who had once walked its halls as children themselves. But years of wear and the need for costly repairs made it clear that investing in the old building would only patch the problems rather than solve them.

  • KI Launches K–12 Classroom Furniture Giveaway

    Contract furniture company KI recently announced the launch of its fourth-annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, which awards $50,000 each to four K–12 educators across the U.S., according to a news release. The goal is to address decreasing student engagement and increasing teacher burnout numbers by updating learning spaces to accommodate modern needs.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • Colorado State University Global, SCTE Launch Online Certificate Program

    Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), based in Denver, Colo., recently announced a partnership with CableLabs subsidiary the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) to launch an online certificate training program for broadband professionals, according to a news release.