Faster, smarter, more digital: how technology is shaping the control room of the future
Anyone who calls 112 expects immediate assistance. What happens behind the scenes is less visible. Over the past twenty years, the emergency dispatch center has evolved from a telephone intake to a high-tech operations center that combines embedded systems, real-time data processing, and mission-critical communication.
During the Design Automation & Embedded Systems event on April 14 at Congrescentrum 1931 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Erno Hartsuiker, control room specialist at the National Police, will demonstrate how essential well-functioning embedded systems are within this environment. Hartsuiker: ’When people call 112, you are often their last resort.“
Mission-critical design in the control room
“A control room places different demands on embedded systems than a commercial organization. Availability, reliability, and low latency are strict prerequisites. Systems run 24/7 and must continue to function under peak load. Redundancy, failover mechanisms, and secure data connections are necessary to guarantee continuity,” he explains.
Ten operational centers work with a single, integrated control room system in which police, ambulance, fire, and military police share real-time information. This collaboration requires standardized interfaces, secure networks, and tight system integration. Interoperability is essential, as are performance and scalability controls.
At the same time, the focus of the control room is shifting from reactive to predictive. Where operators used to wait for a report, embedded systems now continuously analyze data streams from diverse sources. Technology not only supports the follow-up of incidents but also helps in detecting them earlier and interpreting them better.
From sensing to image control: real-time data processing in practice
Hartsuiker: “Data-driven working takes shape in digital twinning and sensing. In the control room, a digital representation of the operational reality is created in which incidents, vehicles, and capacity are visible in real time.”
Sensors continuously provide information from sources including cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition, geographic information systems, and vehicle telemetry. Embedded systems collect, filter, and integrate this data into a single, up-to-date operational picture.
Edge computing limits latency and ensures that only relevant information is forwarded. “Architectures must be scalable, but also stable enough to handle large volumes of concurrent data streams. Here, performance, reliability, and extensibility come together in a single design challenge,” says the control room specialist.
Intelligent video data
In this context, visuals play an increasingly important role. Live video streams support the situational awareness of dispatchers. The challenge lies not only in making the visuals technically available, but primarily in keeping the flow of information manageable. Video data is intelligently routed and linked to incident information, with prioritization based on urgency and context. Embedded video processing, data compression, and network optimization ensure that images are available with low latency, even during peak moments.
European communications, drones and AI: building a predictive control room
The communications infrastructure is also evolving. The C2000 system is being updated within a broader European system of uniform mission-critical communications. While communication traditionally revolved around voice, the focus is shifting to integrated data and image exchange.
Drones are also playing an increasingly important role in operational practice. Drones are essentially flying embedded platforms where sensors, communication modules, positioning, and real-time image processing come together. Integration with the control room system requires stable wireless connections and direct linkage to existing data streams. As soon as a report is received, aerial imagery can be deployed immediately to assess a situation. This requires reliable hardware and secure data transmission within the existing ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence supports the control room in structuring and exchanging information. AI can help analyze data streams and predict where information is most relevant.
Nevertheless, humans remain the guiding force in decision-making. The control room must be able to explain and justify every decision. The use of AI must therefore never be a black box. Transparency and explainability are essential, particularly within the framework of the Police Data Act (WPG), which sets strict requirements for the processing and sharing of police data.”
The common thread in Erno Hartsuiker's story is clear: technology enables the transition from a reactive to a predictive control room. Embedded systems connect sensing, communication, image processing, and AI into a single, integrated infrastructure focused on reliability and safety. During the Design Automation & Embedded Systems event, Erno Hartsuiker will share how these architectures are created and the key technical choices. This offers engineers unique insight into system design under extreme pressure.
Knowing more?
Come to 1931 Congrescentrum in Den Bosch on April 14, 2027. View the program on the website and register for the event for free.