The US Department of Homeland Security is soliciting plans from companies to convert standard 4x4 trucks into mobile AI surveillance platforms. These vehicles would integrate radar, cameras, and autonomous tracking to enhance border monitoring in remote areas. The initiative aims to extend surveillance beyond fixed sites, according to federal contracting records.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pursuing a new technology to bolster border surveillance through mobile units. Federal contracting records, as reviewed by WIRED, reveal that DHS wants companies to submit proposals for transforming 4x4 vehicles into AI-powered watchtowers. These trucks would combine artificial intelligence, radar, high-powered cameras, and wireless networking into a unified system.
The vehicles are designed for remote areas, capable of deploying as rolling, autonomous observation towers. This setup would allow on-demand extension of surveillance reach, far beyond the limitations of current fixed installations. US border patrol, a key DHS component, is driving the effort to create this fleet.
Keywords associated with the project include department of homeland security, immigration, privacy, surveillance, and national security. The solicitation highlights the integration of autonomous tracking features, enabling the trucks to function independently in challenging terrains.
No specific timeline for deployment is mentioned in the records, but the focus is on practical mobility for immigration and security enforcement. This development raises considerations around privacy and the expansion of surveillance capabilities at the border.