Smiths Detection Introduces Non-Radioactive ETD
Smiths Detection has launched its latest desktop explosives trace detector (ETD), the IONSCAN 600, which features a non-radioactive ion mobility spectrometry source, and substantially lower cost, weight and footprint than its predecessor, the IONSCAN 500DT, which is widely used in secondary screening of carry-on bags at U.S. airports. The non-radioactive IMS source, which is new for Smiths Detection’s desktop ETD products, means there is no special licensing, handling or disposal. The unit price is between 60 and 70 percent of the cost of the 500DT and requires fewer consumables, which brings down the cost of ownership by half, James Viscardi, vice president of Sales and Business Development at Smiths Detection, tells
HSR. The unit also weighs 23-pounds versus 43-pounds for the 500DT, making it more portable. Viscardi says the portability, combined with a hot swappable battery that provides 90 minutes of continuous analysis, makes it attractive for international aviation customers that may have to move it around for special screening circumstances. Viscardi says that given the lower costs associated with the IONSCAN 600, his company expects to see increases in sales volumes. The IONSCAN 600 is currently being evaluated by the Transportation Security Administration for certification and the North American aviation is the primary market with Canada second, and Latin America third, Viscardi says. But, he says the low price combined with the easier portability and smaller footprint will make it attractive to other markets such as courthouses and corrections facilities, critical infrastructure and federal, state and local governments.
Rapiscan Launches New Handheld ETD with Plans for More Trace Products
Seeking to strengthen its hand in the explosives trace detection (ETD) market, OSI Systems’ [OSIS] Rapiscan Systems division has introduced the DETECTRA HX, a 4-pound handheld unit that builds on the company’s initial HE50 product through a new and improved sampling system. The new sampler delivers trace elements into the detector more efficiently and quickly than before, allowing the DETECTRA HX to take full advantage of the detection capability in the system, Samantha Ollerton, head of Rapiscan’s trace efforts, tells HSR. The HE50 system obtained samples through the air but the DETECTRA HX can also take advantage of swabs to obtain samples, enabling greater accuracy and probability of detection in real-time, she says. Rapiscan is engaging in Europe now with the European Civil Aviation Conference to certify the DETECTRA HX for the full range of aviation screening that can be done by trace while in the U.S. the company will work with the Transportation Security Agency to approve the system for screening air cargo. In addition to the new handheld system, Rapiscan plans to release its first desktop ETD before July 2105 to further build out its trace product line, Ollerton says. The company also plans to release a multimode system to screen a range of materials beyond just explosives. Building out its trace product line will allow Rapiscan to offer its customers a comprehensive suite of screening and scanning products ranging from cargo and vehicle inspection to people and parcel inspection. The DETECTRA HX uses an ionizing source that carries U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Exempt Distribution status which means there are no end-user radiation licensing requirements within the country. Ollerton says Rapiscan already an order from a U.S. government customer for a “significant number” of the systems based on a head-to-head trial with competitors. She says military, commercial and federal customers in the U.S. and overseas are all potential customers. Trials are underway with a number of potential customers, she says. The price for the DETECTRA HX ranges between $27,000 and $32,000 depending on volume for U.S. customers.
HDS Acquires Avrio RMS, Pantascene to Bolster Public Safety Push
Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) recently acquired two companies in the surveillance solutions space as part of its new plans to boosts its presence in public safety and “Safe Cities,” company officials tell HSR. HDS, part of the global company Hitachi Ltd, acquired wide area surveillance systems provider Avrio RMS Group and security management software solutions provider Pantascene to help build the strategy around Safe Cities and public safety, says Kevin Eggleston, HDS senior vice president for Social Innovation and Global Industries. Public safety is one of six focus areas in Hitachi’s internet of things strategy launching soon called Social Innovation, which also includes information technology analytics, healthcare analytics and several other industries. Avrio RMS is known for its digital video surveillance capabilities for public safety with various levels of government customers and other critical infrastructure entities. Pantascene’s software connects disparate video systems and integrates them onto a common user interface and also integrates the sensors for various public safety and operational systems such as computer aided dispatch, gunshot detection and license plate recognition. Mark Jules, who was the CEO of Avrio RMS and is now with HDS, says Avrio’s discriminators include scalability for sensor inputs and users, elimination of the Virtual Private Network, and technology geared toward public-private partnerships. HDS provides access to a large number of vertical markets combined with big data experience as well as worldwide reach in terms of customers and credibility, say Eggleston and Juels.
Morpho’s Itemiser DX Approved for Air Cargo Screening in Canada
Safran Group’s Morpho Detection says its Itemiser DX explosives trace detector has been approved by Transport Canada for air cargo screening in Canada. Morpho says the approval is the seventh by a global regulatory agency for the use of the Itemiser DX in screening air cargo.
NexID Enhances Fake Finger Detection Solution
NexID Biometrics LLC says it has introduced new software capabilities that enhance fake finger detection for embedded fingerprint sensor systems and those yet to be introduced. The company says at the Global Identity Summit in Tampa, Fla., in September that its improved software is “ideal” for mobile devices with fingerprint sensors, including smart phones, and embedded modules such as ATMs and terminals for entry access, time and attendance, and point of sale. “The breakthrough outcome of our newest version is that NexID’s fake finger detection technology was re-architected to execute the software’s full feature set of analysis and spoof mitigation while running on embedded processors, limited code space and data-storage constraints, than traditional desktops, laptops, and even high-end mobile devices,” says Mark Cornett, the company’s chief operating officer.
Chemring Installs Vehicle Security System at Gatwick Airport
Chemring says it has completed a four-lane, underside vehicle search system at Gatwick Airport near London. The system is based on the company’s VehicleScan surveillance technology, which uses high-resolution line-scan technology to deliver full-color images of the underside of a vehicle with millimeter-scale detail. Using automatic number plate recognition, VehicleScan will cross check each vehicle against the airport database to ensure all vehicles are approved to access the airfield. The system replaces the mirror-on-a-stick approach used before.