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CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
NCBSI Research Spotlight
Since the establishment of this Center of Excellence, NCBSI has made significant contributions to the Nation's understanding of securitizing our Nation's borders from terrorists and criminals, easeing international trade and travel, and providing a deeper understanding of the forces that lead foreigners to try to immigrate. A few key research highlights are listed below.
Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real-Time (AVATAR) Kiosk: Using artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, BORDERS researchers are developing an avatar-based screening system that may be able to identify suspicious behavior more accurately than a human. The AVATAR Kiosk is designed to flag suspicious behavior that should be investigated more closely by a trained human agent in the field. This “primary screening” technology is designed for use at ports of entry, such as border crossings and airports, and in other security environments, such as visa processing, asylum-request interviews, and personnel screening. During an interview, the subject’s physiological and behavioral reactions are recorded by several non-invasive instruments. The subject answers questions spoken by a computerized avatar. Depending on the individual being screened, a variety of avatars can be selected that differ in terms of gender, ethnicity, and demeanor.
Game Theoretic Methods for Security Applications: Building on worked developed by the CREATE Center of Excellence, this tool may help border security agencies, such as DHS’s Customs and Border Protection, schedule activities such as security sweeps and canine patrols.