Knife Detection Technology Phase 2 - Iconal

7.1. The aim of the competition is to develop systems capable of automatically detecting knives concealed on a person, at a distance, to be used by police forces. The systems must be able to detect knives in the presence of commonly carried items, including but not limited to keys, wallets, mobile phones, and tablets. Systems can either be fixed during operation and capable of scanning a defined area (region) of space containing one or more subjects, or capable of being carried and operated by a single police officer for at least the duration of a shift (8 hours). A fixed system should ideally work at a distance of at least 2m to 6m, while a body-worn or handheld system should work at a distance of at least approximately 2m. The Home Office is prepared to fund the further development of systems to meet these requirements, even if their detection range currently falls outside of these distances.