PEERS at the Security R&D and Innovation

Advancing Preparedness with Virtual Reality (Brussels, 11 October 2024)

The PEERS project took on a prominent role at this year’s “Space4Security” event, hosted on October 11, 2024, by the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU in Brussels.

Organised annually by one of PEERS partners, Székely Family & Co. Nonprofit Lls. (SFC), this event highlighted numerous projects in security and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRN-E) fields, including PEERS, which explores how Virtual Reality (VR) can be harnessed to enhance preparedness and effectiveness in security-related challenges.

A panel discussion titled “Better Preparedness with Virtual Reality”, chaired by SFC’s PEERS project manager Kitti Kerekes, emphasised the transformative role VR can play in security. The conversation emphasised VR’s potential to broaden the impact and accessibility of innovative security solutions, reaching a wider array of practitioners and stakeholders with more engaging and effective tools.

Shifting Focus Toward Practicality

In his key presentation, Dr. Zoltán Székely, SFC’s lead expert on the PEERS project, described how the dataset was developed with a user-focused approach rather than a strictly scientific structure. This decision stemmed from a desire to make the tool functional and immediately applicable in high-pressure environments where security professionals require both efficiency and ease of use. This approach has allowed PEERS to serve not just as a dataset but as a versatile, practical resource that enhances operational readiness.

It is More Than Data: PEERS as a Knowledge Hub

Dr. Székely introduced PEERS as a “knowledge hub” rather than a mere data repository. The platform integrates a wide array of tools in a cohesive structure that meets the needs of various stakeholders in security. Its adaptability makes it relevant across sectors, providing access to vital information and resources in real-time. To ensure accessibility throughout Europe, the PEERS dataset has been released in six languages (i.e., English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish) on October 31, 2024, in its second version (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14008103). This multilingual capability is a crucial feature, as it allows for broad accessibility across Europe and removes potential language barriers in critical situations.

Exploring VR Capabilities

Amongst PEERS’ offerings, VR tools integrated into the Knowledge Hub stood out at the event. A standalone VR version, developed by SFC, was showcased to give attendees a closer look at the concept of a virtual command centre. This VR-based command centre concept allows users to experience a simulated, highly interactive environment where they cannot overload themselves with information related to crisis response, and can allow authorities to make resource management in a controlled, virtual setting without making infrastructural sacrifices, which is invaluable during real-world emergencies – not exposing themselves to danger in critical situations.

Offline Access with the New PEERS Mobile Application

Dr. Székely also introduced a significant addition to the PEERS toolkit: a mobile application slated for release on Google Play Store in 2025 Q1. This new app addresses the need for offline access to critical data, a concern voiced by security practitioners. The app will enable users to access essential data even in remote areas or when disconnected from the internet, making it a potentially life-saving tool in crisis situations where connectivity is limited.

The PEERS project’s work demonstrates the ongoing commitment within the security sector to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as VR and mobile applications, to support preparedness, training, and on-the-ground response capabilities across Europe.