Spatial Computing for C-IED

From March 7 to March 9, 2023, two members of the EOD COE Technologies Department 2LT David SLATKOVSKY (Project Manager of ETACS project) and MSGT Gabor KOROM (deputy Project Manager of ETACS  project), participated in the first edition of the Spatial Computing For C-IED Workshop, which was held at the Marine Etablissement Amsterdam (MEA) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
This event provided a very good opportunity for NATO EOD COE and NLR, EDA,DEC C-IED to get to know each other's project more closely and to discuss future cooperation. In 3 days organizers goal was to disseminate and generate practical ideas on how Spatial Computing can support the C-IED and technical exploitation processes as well as provide a platform for sharing expertise, experience and ideas.

The first day was dedicated to presentations and introduction of various Projects and companies dealing with spatial computing not only for the military. It gave us a good insight into how effectively can the new technologies be used nowadays for improvement of EOD and C-IED capabilities.

On the second day participants were divided into three groups based on the pillars of C-IED and discussed potential use of technologies for the purposes of EOD and C-IED operators, either in training or in real-life situations. It is actually very difficult for scientists and developers to fully understand needs of operators, therefore these discussions were very fruitful and will help accommodate new technologies more effectively and purposefully. Experts of the tech industry furthermore presented some ideas, which the operators evaluated and assessed their potential use for their job. 

The third day consisted of presentation and analysis of the results of the panel discussions and was used to gather collective feedback and create results that would be acceptable for all participants. 

During the whole duration of the event there was an opportunity to see and try some of the newest technologies in “Tech Market” while also speaking to some of the experts and scientists of the technology industry. 

Overall the Spatial Computing For C-IED Workshop was very beneficial to learn more about emerging technologies and their potential use for EOD related projects as well as presenting ETACS project to the technology experts and EOD community. 

Author: MSGT Gabor KOROM, (HUN-A)
Photo: MSGT Gabor KOROM