As part of the DOLOS Challenge of the Cyber-Innvoation-Hub of the German Armed Forces (CIHBw), participants face the task of supporting sensors with AI/software or camouflaging reconnaissance targets against computer-aided reconnaissance means.
Field camouflage has been common since the First World War. Nature, on the other hand, has been using various camouflage patterns for the purpose of concealment for millions of years. In military camouflage, high technology has been increasingly used in recent decades. Sensor technology, multispectral detection (e.g., thermal imaging), or computer-aided pattern recognition have become a highly engineered aspect of operations. AI systems work tirelessly to detect what is missed by the human eye. To further this development, CIHBw is hosting the so-called DOLOS Challenge. The challenge is to protect large-scale equipment and soldiers against reconnaissance by AI systems or to optimize the system for their reconnaissance. Start-ups and companies that have developed solutions or prototypes are therefore eligible to participate. Members of the Bundeswehr are also eligible to participate if they have a proposed solution or prototype. In addition, participation is also open to teams or individuals from science and the deep-tech ecosystem.
realistic conditions
CIHBw is providing large-scale equipment so that a test of the systems and ideas can take place under realistic conditions. In addition, optics and AI are available to optimize or deceive the participants.
Phase 2 of the project is currently underway. This means that a selected number of participants will receive support from CIHBw to further develop their prototypes. The fruits of this labor will be revealed on June 21-22, 2023. On Demo Day at the Wendisch-Evern military training area, the prototypes will have to prove their operational capability in the field. Various real-life scenarios are ready and waiting at the military training area.
If the participants succeed in convincing the field with their ideas at the demo day, the prototypes will be further developed and made available to the troops. “Together with the Innovation Experts from the Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub, we can now take the next steps to enable deployment in the troops as quickly as possible.”
Jonas Brandstetter, editorial staff