SHIELD
Intelligent Reflecting Surface for Enhanced Integrated Sensing and Communication to Protect Vulnerable Road Users
The SHIELD project stands at the forefront of urban safety, aiming to revolutionize the protection of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as cyclists and pedestrians. In the bustling chaos of modern cities, traditional safety measures often fall short. SHIELD introduces a paradigm shift, leveraging cutting-edge wireless technologies to create a protective digital veil around those most at risk. Current camera-based and sensor systems struggle in adverse weather (rain, fog) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) scenarios—blind spots where accidents frequently occur. These limitations create critical safety gaps that demand a new technological approach.
SHIELD overcomes these limitations by integrating two transformative technologies:
- ✓ Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS): Smart surfaces that can redirect wireless signals around obstacles, effectively "seeing" around corners and extending coverage into blind spots.
- ✓ Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): A dual-function approach where radio waves are used for both data transmission and radar-like sensing simultaneously, allowing the network to detect VRUs even without active communication.
- • Exploring the theoretical boundaries of IRS-aided ISAC systems.
- • Designing robust protocols for dynamic urban environments.
- • Developing AI-driven algorithms for real-time decision making.
- • Rigorous testing through advanced simulations.
- • Proving the concept in realistic testbeds.
Ultimately, SHIELD aims to usher in a new epoch of smart and secure urban mobility, where infrastructure and vehicles collaborate seamlessly to ensure zero road fatalities.