2007

News about Teamcore group and initiatives published in 2007

USC News: Computer Science Thesis Helps Train Firefighters

May 25, 2007

Viterbi AI project under CREATE auspices speeds simulations

 

A former Viterbi School computer science graduate student now has his PhD, and this thesis project continues in development as a way to train firefighters and other responders to fight conflagrations.

Viterbi School artificial intelligence expert Milind Tambe and Nathan Schurr (PhD 2007) brought the complex system into being; working directly with the L.A. County Fire Department as it evolved, making sure that it remained relevant and useful. 

 

Slashdot: Using AI to train Firefighters

June 7, 2007

Computer scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed DEFACTO, a training program which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help firefighters practice simulated emergency situations. The system is currently used by the Los Angeles Fire Department. DEFACTO has committees of AI 'agents' which can create disaster scenarios with images and maps seen in 3-D by the trainees. The software agents also evaluate the trainees' answers and help them to take better decisions. As one LAFD captain said, 'You can see if you're heading toward a mistake much more quickly.'...

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International Herald Tribune, Sept 2007: reports on our work on randomization for the Los Angeles International Airport

September 29, 2007

Los Angeles International Airport uses randomization software to prevent terrorist attack

Security officials at Los Angeles International Airport are using randomization software in an attempt to help prevent terrorist attacks.
Developed by computer scientists at the University of Southern California, the program, called ARMOR, is used to make the placement of security checkpoints random and unpredictable, according to a Friday report in Newsweek magazine.

Newsweek: A Random Weapon in the War on Terror

September 30, 2007

The Element of Surprise

To help combat the terrorism threat, officials at Los Angeles Inter Airport are introducing a bold new idea into their arsenal: random of security checkpoints. Can game theory help keep us safe?

Los Angeles Times, Oct 2007: Randomization for Security at the Los Angeles International Airport

October 1, 2007

By Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

USC student's computer program enlisted in security efforts at LAX

Program developed by a USC student is intended to thwart terrorists by making the frequency of searches unpredictable.

The doctoral dissertation of a 26-year-old USC computer science student is having an unusual effect on security and transportation at Los Angeles International Airport.

That's because the LAX police are giving a trial run to a new computer program that, they say, seeks to keep potential terrorists and criminals...

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DNA India, Oct 2007: New anti-terror weapon: Game theory

October 7, 2007

DNA India article by Dhananjay Khadilkar

New anti-terror weapon: Game theory

City airports can benefit from the new security software in use at the Los Angeles airport

A new weapon has surfaced in the war on terror. No, it’s not some sophisticated or powerful firearm. It’s an algorithm for airport security developed by two Indian researchers at the University of California’s (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering.

Randomization for Security at the Los Angeles International Airport

October 1, 2007

Software enlisted in airport security

by Larry Gordon

Los Angeles Times

The doctoral dissertation of a 26-year-old USC computer science student is having an unusual effect on security and transportation at Los Angeles International Airport.

That’s because the LAX police are giving a trial run to a new computer program that, they say, seeks to keep potential terrorists and criminals constantly uncertain about where, when and how often vehicles will be...

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YUVA Mumbai: "Anti terror squad"

October 8, 2007

Sriharikota-born researcher and his Mumbai-born professor help improve airport security in the US

t was his voracious appetite for research that made engineer Praveen Paruchuri leave home in Sriharikota for the US in 2002. It was this hunger again that made him stand out among his peers, and his thesis was picked up by security authorities at Los Angeles airport. The officials, who are seeking better measures to counter the increased threats posed by terrorists, are now trying it out, according to Praveen’s professor, Milind Tambe.

Game software could boost airport security

October 10, 2007

NewScientist

Playing games with airport security guards sounds like a bad idea, but Praveen Paruchuri of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles is trying to thwart criminals by doing just that.

Guards are usually told to patrol in a random fashion but, being human, they tend to form habits that patient criminals can exploit. To help make their rounds less predictable, Paruchuri and colleagues created software based on game theory that simulates various random paths that a guard could take around Los Angeles International airport (LAX), and also how...

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Multiagent System Helps Train for the Unthinkable

October 1, 2007

IEEE Intelligent Soceity

Article by Mark Ingebretsen

The UK terrorist attacks this June demonstrated once again the extremists’ preference for hitting multiple targets. This strategy aims to confuse authorities and increase casualties and damages. If a large city becomes the target of multiple attacks, responders will need to scramble to allocate fire trucks, ambulances, and other resources to any number of locations. Meanwhile, they’ll need to balance factors such as the intensity of the resulting fires or bomb-related damage at each location, as well as...

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Viterbi/CREATE Collaboration on Airport Security Makes International News

October 25, 2007

Viterbi grad student's computer science PhD thesis becomes basis for CREATE-developed randomization software

Stories distributed all over the world discussed the work of team lead by Milind Tambe creating randomization software make vehicle checkpoints at airports unpredictable for observers. Tambe and his team collaborated with USC's  Department of Homeland Security-funded Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events on the project.

Examples included:

Newsweek: The Element of Surprise
To help combat the...

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