Latest news with #NationalPhysicalLaboratory
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Man wanted since 2012 arrested after facial recognition app match
Man wanted since 2012 arrested after facial recognition app match The fugitive, wanted in Poland, was detained after he was spotted in Cardiff by the app Facial Recognition Vehicles in place in Cardiff A man wanted on a European arrest warrant since 2012 for assaulting a police officer with a weapon and drug dealing in Poland, is among those who has been identified and arrested as a result of a new facial recognition app being used in south Wales. Officers in South Wales and Gwent Police are the first in the UK to use the operator initiated facial recognition (OIFR) app, allowing them to identify individuals in near-real time at the touch of a button. As well as identifying people who may have given false details, or who refuse to provide details, the app can also be used to identify those who may not be able to provide details due to vulnerability or because they're unconscious or have passed away. In South Wales, 50 searches have been conducted which resulted in 10 arrests, two individuals reported for summons, two identified for non-criminal matters and six no further action. In Gwent there have been six completed uses, resulting in three matches. Two were for concerns for safety and one resulting in arrest of a man who gave false details to officers and was correctly identified using the app. The police system confirmed that he was wanted for shoplifting, assault and a motoring offence. He was subsequently charged and convicted. What is operator initiated facial recognition? South Wales Police says that OIFR is a mobile phone use of facial recognition technology (FRT), which compares a photograph of a person's face, taken on a police issue mobile phone, to the predetermined image reference database to assist an officer to identify a person for a policing purpose. Its website states: "Police officers may use the OIFR mobile app to confirm the identity of an unknown person who they suspect is missing, at imminent risk of serious harm or wanted, in circumstances when they're unable to provide details, refuse to give details or provide false details. "OIFR can also be used on a person who has died or is unconscious allowing officers to identify them so their family can be traced quickly. "The OIFR is an overt policing tool. OIFR should be used after an engagement between the Officer and the unknown person has been attempted. "Independent testing by the National Physical Laboratory found that OIFR achieved 100% accuracy, always returning the correct match as the top result, for persons in the database. "At the threshold settings we are using, if the person is not in the database, it will not return any results." Article continues below One notable use in south Wales resulted in a man being identified using the app in Cardiff who was wanted on a European arrest warrant for drug dealing and assaulting a police officer with a weapon in Poland dating back to 2012. The 38-year-old man was remanded in custody to Westminster magistrates' court. Inspector Ben Gwyer, who leads on facial recognition for South Wales and Gwent forces, said: 'These examples have allowed officers to quickly identify individuals who have refused to give details or given false details before taking appropriate action depending on the circumstances. 'These have included individuals who were found in suspicious circumstances and identified through the use of the app having given false details.' In cases where someone is wanted by police for a criminal offence, it secures their quick arrest and detention. Cases of mistaken identity are easily resolved and without the necessity to visit a police station or custody suite. A South Wales Police facial recognition unit operating in Cardiff (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) South Wales Police says that photographs taken using the app are never retained and officers receive specific guidance in relation to using the app in private places such as houses, schools, medical facilities and places of worship in order to balance the needs of policing against the right to privacy of the individual. Inspector Gwyer added: 'Police officers have always been able to spot someone who they think is missing or wanted and stop them in the street. 'This technology doesn't replace traditional means of identifying people and officers only use it in instances where it is both necessary and proportionate to do so, with the aim of keeping that particular individual, or the wider public, safe.' Article continues below
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India will soon ditch GPS timekeeping for indigenous system: Pralhad Joshi
India will soon abandon GPS-based timekeeping in favour of an indigenous system to safeguard critical sectors from potential foreign disruptions, Union consumer affairs minister Prahlad Joshi announced on Wednesday. The move represents a significant step towards technological sovereignty as India prepares to rely on a domestically managed network of five atomic clocks rather than the US-controlled Global Positioning System for maintaining Indian Standard Time. 'Currently we depend on an external time source, which is GPS. GPS is owned by the US. India will source time from an indigenous system of five atomic clocks spread over different parts of the country to accurately keep the time, down to nanoseconds,' said Ashish Agarwal, principal scientist at the state-backed National Physical Laboratory. The decision stems partly from historical concerns about foreign dependency. Agarwal noted that 'during the Kargil War, the US had refused to share GPS coordinates with India for keeping time, which had created obstructions in the military operations.' The new system aims to protect sensitive sectors including navigation, defence and banking from potential foreign interference. Consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare explained that relying on foreign time sources creates 'very fine differences and varying time stamps, which can greatly impact sensitive operations, such as banking, equities and defence.' 'Often, different time stamps can lead to legal disputes,' Khare added. The minister said compliance with the indigenous system would be mandatory for commercial entities, banks and all establishments once operational. However, the change will not alter IST itself, which will maintain its offset of +05:30 relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The five highly calibrated atomic clocks are located in Guwahati, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Faridabad and Bhubaneswar. Officials said the clocks have been tested and trialled and the system is expected to become operational soon. GPS, owned by the US government and operated by the United States Air Force, currently provides timing accurately to 10 nanoseconds worldwide. The precision becomes critical in sensitive operations such as missile launches, where 'milliseconds or nanoseconds' can prove vital, Agarwal explained. India joins other major powers including Russia and China in developing autonomous timekeeping capabilities, reflecting broader global trends towards reducing dependency on foreign-controlled infrastructure for critical national functions. The indigenous system represents part of India's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at achieving self-reliance in strategic technologies.
Sustainability Times
10-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
End of GPS Era: The Secret Rise of Atomic Clocks Signals a Military-Grade Revolution in Global Positioning and National Security
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 GPS jamming incidents have exposed vulnerabilities in essential systems, prompting a shift towards more resilient navigation technologies. incidents have exposed vulnerabilities in essential systems, prompting a shift towards more resilient navigation technologies. 🛰️ The development of portable atomic clocks aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals, making navigation systems less susceptible to interference. aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals, making navigation systems less susceptible to interference. 🔧 The UK's National Physical Laboratory is advancing optical clock technology to enhance precision and reliability in timekeeping. technology to enhance precision and reliability in timekeeping. 🇺🇸 U.S. companies are innovating with technologies like magnetic navigation to provide alternative solutions to traditional GPS systems. Amid escalating global tensions and technological advancements, the security and reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals have become critical concerns. The recent surge in GPS jamming incidents has highlighted vulnerabilities in our aviation systems and beyond, emphasizing the urgent need for more resilient navigation technologies. As GPS interference becomes a tool for geopolitical maneuvering, the development of atomic clocks and other sophisticated timekeeping mechanisms presents a promising path forward. These technologies could redefine how we navigate and synchronize essential services, reducing our reliance on vulnerable satellite signals. The Importance and Fragility of GPS Introduced in the 1970s for military purposes, GPS quickly became indispensable for civilian applications. The system operates through a network of satellites equipped with highly accurate atomic clocks, broadcasting signals to Earth. Receivers calculate precise locations by measuring the time it takes for signals to travel from at least four satellites. However, any interference in these signals or the clock's synchronization can significantly degrade GPS reliability. GPS timing is crucial for more than just navigation. Financial institutions use GPS signals to timestamp high-frequency trades, power grids regulate energy transfers, and telecommunications networks synchronize data transfers. A 2019 report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology estimated that the U.S. could face a $1 billion daily loss if GPS were disrupted. In the UK, potential losses are estimated at around £1.4 billion per day, prompting authorities to list GPS jamming as a significant national risk. Jamming signals can originate from military technologies, criminal enterprises, or low-cost devices available online. In conflict zones, jamming can degrade enemy weapons systems or disrupt drones and missiles. The vulnerability of GPS signals, especially at altitudes with minimal obstructions, underscores the need for more robust alternatives. 'Zuckerberg's Billionaire Odyssey': 5,300-Mile Superyacht Voyage Ends With Helicopter Ski Drop in the Ultimate Tech Tycoon Flex High-Stakes Incidents and Evolving Tactics Recent events in the Baltic region illustrate the geopolitical implications of GPS jamming. Eastern European NATO states have accused Russia of blocking or spoofing satellite transmissions, demonstrating its capability to interfere with Western infrastructure. In March 2024, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps experienced this threat firsthand when his plane lost its GPS signal near Russian territory, highlighting the potential risks to passenger aircraft. The chaotic nature of these incidents raises concerns about a comprehensive GPS signal disruption. Such an event could lead to mid-air collisions, forced emergency landings, and crippled global commerce. The incentive to disrupt GPS grows alongside the need for effective countermeasures. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires technical innovation, political commitment, and substantial funding, reminiscent of historical navigation crises. Why Atomic Clocks Matter Accurate location tracking relies on precise time measurement, making atomic clocks essential for GPS functionality. Each GPS satellite carries an atomic clock, capable of maintaining accuracy to within a few billionths of a second daily. If signals are jammed or timestamps spoofed, the receiver's position fix becomes unreliable. This Gigantic Chinese Mothership Can Launch 100 Drones Over 4,500 Miles and Redefines the Future of High-Tech Air Combat Reducing dependence on external satellite signals is a potential solution, prompting the development of portable atomic clocks. These devices could reside on Earth or within navigation systems, eliminating the need for satellite timing. By accurately tracking speed and direction changes, navigation could occur without external signals, making jamming or spoofing ineffective. The UK's 'Time Lords' and Their Work The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the UK has been a leader in timekeeping since developing one of the first practical atomic clocks in 1955. Today, Dr. Helen Margolis' team at NPL is advancing optical clocks, using lasers for higher precision than microwave-based cesium clocks. These next-generation clocks promise 100 times greater accuracy, potentially transforming navigation by reducing reliance on GPS. NPL's mission draws parallels to the 18th-century quest of John Harrison to create a portable marine chronometer, solving the 'longitude problem' and revolutionizing sea navigation. Similarly, NPL aims to create a national network of interconnected atomic clocks, providing a secure, ultra-accurate timing reference for critical infrastructure. By 2030, the UK hopes to synchronize finance, energy, and national security against this resilient timekeeping backbone. 'Nasa Confirms the Unthinkable': China's Giant Water Diversion Project Will Slow Earth's Rotation and Disrupt Global Timekeeping Progress in the US and Other Nations While the UK leads in quantum timing research, other countries are also addressing GPS vulnerabilities. In the U.S., companies like Infleqtion and SandboxAQ are developing innovative solutions. Infleqtion's 'Tiqker' portable atomic clock system uses subatomic interactions for precise timekeeping, while SandboxAQ's 'AQNav' technology leverages magnetic navigation to determine location without satellite signals. Australia's Q-CTRL is tackling the sensitivity issues of quantum sensors in noisy environments, partnering with Airbus, the Australian military, and the UK Navy to deploy these technologies. Collaboration with NASA and the US Geological Survey on gravity mapping projects may lead to more advanced geospatial data. The potential for a new revolution in navigation is immense. As jamming and spoofing become more common, backup systems are crucial to prevent disastrous consequences. Just as marine chronometers once revolutionized global trade, today's advanced timekeeping technologies could catalyze economic growth and new services. However, many solutions remain at the prototype stage, with high costs and practical challenges to overcome. How will our world adapt to these evolving navigation technologies, and what new possibilities will they unlock? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
Economist
21-05-2025
- Science
- Economist
Why it's harder than you think to measure a metre
The Metre Convention is a treaty that codified the measurement of the metre and the kilogram. Signed on May 20th 1875 in Paris, it facilitated trade and underpinned the development of new technology. Accurate measurements are essential for innovation, but the way scientists perform those measurements has changed over time. Now, 150 years since the treaty was first signed, how are scientists improving measurement standards? Hosts: The Economist 's Alok Jha and Gilead Amit. Contributors: JT Janssen, Andrew Lewis and Anne Curtis at Britain's National Physical Laboratory.
