New Delhi: For the first time, the Delhi Police will use AI-enabled smart glasses with an integrated facial recognition system (FRS) and thermal imaging technology as part of enhanced security measures for Republic Day celebrations, officials said on Wednesday.
The smart glasses, developed by an Indian company, will be linked in real-time to the police database of criminals, proclaimed offenders, and suspects, allowing officers on the ground to instantly identify individuals in crowded areas.
The wearable devices will connect to mobile phones carried by police officers, giving them access to the entire criminal database through the system, said Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla.
“The glasses are connected to the mobile phones of the officers, and the mobile phones carry the full database of criminals. If someone appears in a green box, it clearly indicates that the person has no criminal involvement. If the box turns red, it means the person has a criminal record. The officer can quickly verify all details, and if needed, the person will be apprehended immediately,” Mahla explained.
He added that the smart glasses can scan faces within seconds and match them with records stored in the central database without physical checks or stopping people, ensuring smooth movement in crowded areas during the high-security event.
In addition to facial recognition, the glasses are equipped with thermal imaging technology, which helps officers detect individuals carrying metal objects or concealed weapons, providing an extra layer of security by enabling early identification of potential threats in dense crowds.
“This technology will significantly strengthen spot identification and reduce dependence on manual checking. The thermal imaging feature will assist officers in identifying suspicious objects or weapons that may not be visible to the naked eye,” Mahla said.
The Additional CP also emphasised that the AI system is capable of identifying criminals even if they have changed their appearance over the years.
“Suppose we have a photograph of a criminal taken 20 years ago. The powerful AI can match that old image and generate a proper match if the person is present. Changing looks will not work in front of these AI-powered smart glasses,” he said.
Delhi Police stated that this is the first time such futuristic wearable technology is being deployed during Republic Day security arrangements. Officers, including sub-inspectors, will be wearing these glasses. When asked about the number and cost of the devices, Mahla said an adequate number had been procured but did not disclose the cost.
The initiative is part of a broader technology-driven security plan for the national event. In addition to AI-enabled glasses, the Delhi Police will use extensive CCTV surveillance, drone-based monitoring, facial recognition software integration, and AI-based analytics to manage crowds and detect suspicious behaviour in real-time.
“The same facial recognition and AI features will also be installed in moving police vehicles, enabling mobile patrol teams to identify suspects while on the move and respond swiftly to any security alerts,” Mahla added.
The Republic Day celebrations in the national capital involve multi-layered security arrangements, with over 10,000 police personnel from the New Delhi district deployed along the parade route and at sensitive locations. All vehicles and guests will undergo three layers of security checks.
With PTI inputs