Tek84 Engineering Group, LLC, which was recently formed by the security holders of the former Spectrum San Diego that was sold this month to Science Applications International Corp. [SAI], plans to continue the development of innovative technologies and products for the security market, the company’s chief tells TR2.
“We have some ideas” for improving whole body imaging technology, says Steven Smith, the former CEO of Spectrum San Diego. There are a range of areas where these systems require improvement with privacy considerations at the top of the list, he says.
Other areas where the full body scanners need improving include operational scan times, image interpretation and a reducing the physical footprint of the machines, Smith says.
Smith is familiar with the whole body imaging systems having worked in the past on OSI Systems [OSIS] Rapiscan division’s Secure 1000 model, which is currently being acquired by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
In addition to security technologies, the research and development firm will also be working on medical products, another area where Smith has background, he says.
Over the next six to 12 months Tek84 will be keeping a low profile and in full “R&D mode before resurfacing” with some technology introductions, Smith says.
Tek84 will retain the CastScope and SentryScope products developed by Spectrum San Diego. CastScope, which is an imaging device used to peer beneath casts worn by individuals, and SentryScope, which is a video surveillance technology, were not part of the transaction with SAIC (TR2, Jan. 6). CastScopes are operated by TSA at 11 airports in the U.S.
SAIC’s interest in the acquisition is a product called CarScan, which was introduced by Spectrum San Diego last spring, that does drive-through, ultra-low dose X-Ray imaging of cars and light trucks while the occupants remain inside the vehicle. Smith says the system is one-third the cost of comparable technologies.
SAIC didn’t disclose the price of the acquisition when it announced the deal earlier this month. However, Australia-based QRSciences Holdings Ltd., which was the second largest shareholder in Spectrum San Diego with a 24 percent interest, said the deal was worth around $5.7 million in cash to it. A second installment for $515,000 is due in 15 months. The deal includes an earn-out provision worth up to $7.3 million over six years based on SAIC’s sales of CarScan.