The Shadow Project wins the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon: An Innovation for Security and Safety
In a technological achievement reflecting the development of national capabilities in digital innovation, the “Shadow” project won first place in the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon , the premier technology event organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Elm Company, and Tuwaiq Academy. The hackathon witnessed fierce competition among more than 4,000 participants who presented innovative technological solutions aimed at developing the Ministry of Interior’s services and enhancing quality of life.
Project concept: A smart eye in the field
The "Shadow" project's win came in response to a pressing need in field security operations. Dr. Mohammed Dakhilallah Al-Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Software Engineering at Jeddah University, revealed that the project stemmed from identifying a technological gap: the traditional reliance on voice communication between security personnel and command centers. Al-Ahmadi, who developed the project in collaboration with his colleague Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Juhayyah, explained that the innovation is a small, smart device that attaches to the security officer's uniform, acting as a technological "shadow" accompanying him at every step.
This system transmits vital, real-time field data including:
- Determining the geographical location with high accuracy.
- Monitoring the vital signs and health status of the security officer.
- To convey a vivid and clear picture of the surrounding environment and field conditions.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
This achievement cannot be viewed in isolation from the significant technological advancements taking place in Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030 . The Ministry of Interior, through its Absher platform and various initiatives, has made considerable progress in automating services and transforming security operations into a smart system based on data and artificial intelligence. The Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon is part of the Ministry's strategy to empower national talent and engage them in developing security solutions, thus reinforcing the concept of collaborative security and open innovation.
Expected impact: Rapid response and protection of lives
The strategic importance of the "Shadow" project lies in its ability to transform decision-making mechanisms in command and control centers from reliance on verbal descriptions to reliance on accurate visual and digital data. This transformation directly contributes to:
- Reduced response time: through immediate understanding of the field situation without the need to wait for audio reports.
- Enhancing the safety of security personnel: through continuous monitoring of their vital signs and immediate medical or security intervention when needed.
- Efficient crisis management: especially in high-risk situations such as raids or natural disasters, where leadership has a panoramic view of the event.
A journey of challenge and academic support
Dr. Al-Ahmadi noted that the work during the three days of the hackathon was a race against time, as it required transforming the theoretical idea into a working prototype that could be tested before a specialized judging panel. He emphasized that the academic expertise and scientific methodology employed at Jeddah University were the decisive factors in the project's technical maturity.
The winning team concluded by emphasizing that this victory is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new developmental phase aimed at transforming the prototype into a final, certified product. They praised the stimulating environment provided by the organizers and the continuous technical support from mentors and experts, which demonstrates the Kingdom’s regional leadership in hosting major technical events and employing them to serve national security.
