Day: June 14, 2021

The Wisenet XNP-6040H PTZ camera, manufactured by Hanwha Techwin, is being used by media company MBL, to stream live video to the world of the eruption and despite the exposed conditions, it is proving to be more than up to the job by continuously capturing 2-megapxiel colour images of the volcanic activity. The camera was installed in February 2021 following on from the start of strong seismic activity within the Reykjanes Peninsula. This included several 5+ magnitude earthquakes and thousands of smaller ones, with an eruption occurring on 19 March 2021. The last eruption was approximately 800 years ago. The XNP-6040H, which was supplied to MBL by Hafnesehf, Hanwha Techwin Europe’s authorised distributor in Iceland, was installed within a weather-proof housing and is powered by solar panels. “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to provide MBL with a robust and reliable camera to help them share images of these dramatic event which we understand has attracted viewers from around the world,” said Hafnesehf’s Manager, Hafliði Jónsson, “The intention is for the camera to remain in place long term so that in addition to entertaining the general public, it can also be a valuable resource for geology students and volcanologists”.  

An intelligent network of 20 Axis EN fire panels from fire and life safety systems manufacturer, Advanced, has been installed at HaDo Centrosa Garden in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. HaDo Centrosa Garden is a 70,000m2 development of eight 30-storey luxury residential towers and 115 town houses located in the heart of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. The upscale condominium complex’s facilities will include a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, fitness centre, rooftop gardens, a park, school, library and commercial centre. A key requirement for this large-scale complex was a system with high-speed networking capabilities to enable instantaneous sharing of communications between panels. To meet this need, fire protection companies Vietsafe and KP Technology chose 20 Advanced Axis EN fire alarm control panels, alongside 3,000 addressable devices, for installation in the eight residential towers. With many successful installations of Advanced products undertaken by both companies, Vietsafe and KP Technology were confident in Axis EN’s ability to deliver the seamless networking needed, while its ease of installation, testing, commissioning and operation would ensure minimal issues once the panels were on site. Le Manh Dung, Director of Vietsafe, said, “An Axis EN fire system was the clear choice for a project of this nature. Advanced is well respected in the fire industry, and its solutions are straightforward in terms of installation and operation thanks to features such as built-in isolators for sequence addressing which considerably reduces installation time.” Axis EN is EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13 approved and its panels can be used in single-loop, single-panel format or easily configured into high-speed, multi-loop networks of up to 200 nodes covering huge areas. Advanced’s reputation for ease of installation and configuration as well as its wide peripheral range make its products customisable to almost any application. Pham Thanh Phong, Director of KP Technology, said, “As a key partner to KP Technology, Advanced is a fire system supplier we can trust to deliver high-performing, high-quality solutions that are easy to install and to use. “Features such as Axis EN’s false alarm management and reduction capabilities are extremely useful in highrise residential sites, such as HaDo Centrosa Garden. Repeated false alarms are not only intrusive, they can also lead to complacency and delayed reactions to real fire alarms. Having the ability to refine and configure protection so specifically, and according to the requirements of specific areas within a building, helps to keep unwanted alarms to a minimum and reduces disruption and risk for residents.” AlarmCalm software comes as standard with any Axis EN and MxPro 5 fire system, taking advantage of Advanced’s high-speed robust panels and networks to offer a best-in-class solution for managing verification and investigation delays to outputs. It allows the false alarm management strategy for a site to be refined precisely and to take account of occupants’ needs and area usage. It also includes the optional AlarmCalm button – a loop device that allows residents or trained staff to indicate whether they believe a signal in their area is due to a false alarm. Tin Le Than, Advanced’s sales and business development manager for South East Asia, said, “As a modern, vibrant complex for thousands of people living and working in the centre of Ho Chi Minh, the fire protection for the HaDo Centrosa Garden development is a key priority. As an industry-leading solution, our Axis EN fire system will deliver complete peace of mind to the building owners and residents of the complex. I am pleased to have been able to support our fantastic partners at Vietsafe and KP Technology with the equipment needed to fulfil their requirements.”  

Smiths Detection, a leading threat detection and security screening technology company, has recently been selected by Hellenic Police to supply two HCVMe High-Energy Mobile X-ray systems for the screening of cargo. Helping to uncover illegal immigrants, threats, contraband and fraud, these two systems will help to secure the EU’s Southern Border. One additional HCVMe system for other security purposes has been contracted by the Hellenic Police, for delivery later this year. The HCVM e35 is a powerful, ultra-compact and fully integrated light mobile platform ideal for inspecting whole trucks, containers and vehicles for threats such as explosives, narcotics, contraband, as well as manifest verification; reducing the need for manual inspection. The HCVM e35 is the smallest mobile screening system available, able to penetrate up to 200mm of steel, while enabling a high throughput of up to 80 trucks per hour. “The HCVMe is a versatile system that allows for quick screening of cargo and trucks to uncover threats and contraband,” said Jasper van Gend, Head of Market, Europe North & East, “We’re delighted to continue supporting Hellenic Police security goals, and to help protect the EU’s Southern borders.” Contract award, delivery, training and commissioning of equipment was completed by Smiths Detection Greek partner, Proton S.A.  

NEC Corporation recently announced the provision of an electronic customs procedure system utilizing face recognition at the customs inspection areas of Naha Airport, the busiest airport in Okinawa, Japan. This electronic customs procedure system has also been provided to six other major airports in Japan – New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Japan’s busiest, Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport and Fukuoka Airport, based on an order from Japan Customs, under the Ministry of Finance. This system is designed to accelerate the customs procedures at leading airports, where NEC’s face recognition technology can confirm travelers’ identities when using the system’s electronic declaration terminal and passing through its exit gates. Moreover, NEC aims to further accelerate customs procedures by enabling baggage to be reported electronically through the use of smartphone applications. NEC’s face recognition technology is the core technology of its biometric identification portfolio ‘Bio-IDiom’ and boasts the world’s No.1 recognition accuracy. About the Electronic Customs Procedure System The electronic customs procedure system consists of customs declaration apps, which simplify customs and declaration procedures for baggage, an electronic declaration terminal, and an exit gate that enables passengers to pass through using face recognition. Exit gate equipped with the world’s No.1 face recognition technology The exit gate is equipped with NEC’s AI engine ‘NeoFace,’ which is the core technology of its biometric identification portfolio ‘Bio-IDiom,’ and has won the world’s No.1 recognition accuracy. The system operates by taking a facial image at an electronic declaration terminal installed at the customs inspection area, this image is then matched with a facial image that is taken by a face recognition camera at an exit gate. Since the face of a person approaching an exit gate is continuously photographed, walk-through authentication is possible, without requiring travelers to stop. Smooth identification contributes to reducing the congestion of customs inspection areas and shortening travelers’ waiting times. Customs declaration apps and an electronic declaration terminal Customs declaration apps and an electronic declaration terminal enable efficient and easy electronic declaration for customs inspections. Travelers enter the contents of their portable goods with customs declaration apps, obtain a QR code, and then read their passport and the QR code with an electronic declaration terminal installed in the customs inspection area. This is considered more simple and easy when compared to preparing conventional forms for the ‘Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles.’ In addition, during operation of the electronic declaration terminal, a traveler is photographed with a built-in camera and checked against their facial image embedded in the IC chip of their passport. The facial image taken at the terminal is only used for identification processes and is deleted in an appropriate manner after use. NEC has already provided biometric identification systems, including face recognition, to approximately 50 airports around the world. NEC will continue to strengthen its efforts to develop solutions and services in support of the ‘NEC Safer Cities’ business domain and contributing to the realization of safe, secure, and prosperous communities.