Providing preventative and corrective maintenance for 486 hold baggage scanning systems across 41 airports in the United States Smiths Detection, a global player in threat detection and security screening technologies, and a business of Smiths Group, has been awarded a seven-year contract to support TechFlow’s Integrated Logistics Support agreement to maintain hold baggage X-ray inspection systems at airports across the United States for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This contract is the largest service agreement in Smiths Detection’s history. Smiths Detection will provide preventative and corrective maintenance for Explosive Detection Systems (EDS), which includes CTX 5800, CTX 9000, CTX 9400 and CTX 9800 SEIO scanners, along with associated networking equipment. To date, Smiths Detection has 486 EDS systems operating in 41 airports across the United States. The TSA has been setting records in the number of passengers they are screening, most recently on July 7, 2024, when 3 million passengers were screened in a single day. In 2023, the TSA screened over 858 million passengers, with the daily average being 2.4 million people. Air travel demand is projected to double by 2040 according to the International Air Transport Association and the service and maintenance of security screening systems will be critical to meeting this demand. Ray Roberge, VP of Service at Smiths Detection Inc. said, “Smiths Detection is proud to announce our continued commitment to servicing our fleet of EDS machines in airports across the United States. We have built a highly skilled service organization that positions technicians and parts fulfillment centers in key locations across the country to meet our customers’ needs quickly and efficiently while delivering world-class service. Our innovative technology and world-class customer service have positioned us as a trusted partner within the aviation security industry. Each day we remain focused on making the world a safer place.” Smiths Detection is a global company in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, urban security and defence. With more than 70 years of field-tested experience, Smiths Detection delivers the solutions needed to protect society from the threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, biological agents, and narcotics to help make the world a safer place. Read more Posts

Livingston County public safety officials say everyday security cameras can be used to dramatically accelerate response times during critical emergencies With the common goal of improving security and emergency response in the event of a critical incident, community members in Livingston County have deployed technology that turns their standard security cameras into a powerful resource for 911 Emergency Communications Center telecommunicators (911 professionals). “It’s all about response time. The key to saving lives, curtailing damage and rapidly resolving an emergency of any kind–whether it’s a natural disaster, fire, mass shooting or other criminal activity–is getting accurate information to first responders so they can take quick, decisive action,” said Mike Murphy, Livingston County Sheriff. While security cameras are ubiquitous at schools and businesses, 911 telecommunicators typically cannot access them in an emergency. Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing changes that by giving telecommunicators instant access to live video from one or multiple security cameras when a 911-triggered emergency occurs, empowering them to quickly deliver critical incident information to first responders through a partnership with RapidSOS. Telecommunicators generally rely on verbal information from 911 callers. Now, with Camera Sharing, the telecommunicator can also have ‘eyes on the scene’ and, within seconds, gather an immense amount of information. “Camera Sharing gives us a real- time view of the situation at hand as it’s unfolding,” said Kecia Williams, 911 Director, Livingston County 911 Central Dispatch, “Lots of times it takes a while to attain pertinent information from a 911 caller because they’re distraught or not clear. With Camera Sharing, we can instantly see for ourselves what’s going on, and we can get this information to the fire department, EMS or law enforcement much quicker.” Livingston County is the first county in Michigan to demo the new technology at the Livingston Educational Service Agency in Howell, an organization that works with local school districts to provide educational services and support to 26,000 students throughout the county. “I am impressed with the Camera Sharing technology and can see the potential for improving response times by first responders to critical events in our community,” said Michael Hubert, Superintendent of Livingston Educational Service Agency. Joe Bommarito of Elite Fire Safety, a division of Sciens Building Solutions, a security integrator based in Novi, Michigan, said, “Most businesses and schools already have security cameras that can easily be connected to Eagle Eye 911 Camera Sharing, which is a first-of-its-kind technology that has cybersecurity and privacy protections built in. As a former law enforcement officer, I believe camera sharing can significantly improve the outcome of emergencies and improve safety and security for first responders.” Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks said, “Livingston County is a prime example of a growing trend we’re seeing in the U.S. where entire communities – schools, businesses, public safety officials and community leaders – are working together to ensure they are prepared as possible for emergency situations.” Read More Posts

New Polycarbonate Document to Feature Enhanced Security and Stronger Operating System HID, a global player in trusted identity solutions, is proud to announce its role as the provider of San Marino’s new contactless ID card. This state-ofthe- art national ID, built on the latest upgraded version of HID® SOMA™, a highly secure chip operating system, delivers enhanced security and functionality for the citizens of the world’s oldest republic. San Marino, renowned as the oldest republic globally and the fifth smallest country on Earth, is modernizing its national identity document to meet the demands of the digital era. Developed in collaboration with systems integrator N.I.D.O. Srl Group, the new multifunctional ID card serves a range of citizen needs, doubling as a residence permit, driver’s license, health card, and even a hunting license – demonstrating its versatility and convenience. “Our search for the most advanced technology, combined with a commitment to adopting the highest international security standards, guided our partnership with HID and N.I.D.O. Group,” said Marialaura Marinozzi, Director of the Institutional Affairs and Justice Department of San Marino, “The Republic of San Marino is proud to introduce this new form of national ID, aligned with EU standards and designed for seamless integration across multiple public services.” Crafted from polycarbonate, a highly durable and anti-counterfeiting material, the new ID card incorporates advanced features such as contactless technology, laser-engraved elements, and a black-and-white portrait. These innovations, alongside the new monochrome laser engraving personalization process, significantly enhance the card’s resistance to counterfeiting and tampering. The HID SOMA operating system empowers the Sammarinese government to offer its citizens greater data security and operational efficiency. Additionally, the card’s compatibility with eGates will streamline travel processes for San Marino’s citizens, ensuring seamless and secure identity verification. “We are honored to support San Marino’s forward- thinking approach to identity management,” said Craig Sandness, Senior Vice President and Head of Secure Issuance and Citizen Identity at HID, “Our collaboration with N.I.D.O. Srl Group has been instrumental in delivering a solution that enhances security, functionality, and efficiency, and we remain committed to supporting nations worldwide in their digital transformation.” Giorgio Mestici, Sales Director of the ID Management & Finance Division at N.I.D.O. Srl, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving these milestones, “N.I.D.O. Srl has built its reputation in the secure document market through our hardware and software solutions, alongside collaborations with industry leaders like HID. San Marino is a testament to the success we achieve when expertise and innovation come together.”

A research collaboration between Swinburn University of Technology (Australia) and Brimbank City Council is using an Allied Vision’s Nerian high-resolution 3D stereo vision system in conjunction with GPS sensors in a new 5G project. The 3D stereo vision system will be fitted to local garbage trucks to quickly identify road and roadside equipment in need of maintenance. The project aims to demonstrate how 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) can support smart cities in Australia. The Australian Government is funding the project with AU$1.18 million. The challenge Need to improve road conditions while saving costs The residents of Brimbank stated in a community survey that improving the appearance of Brimbank’s roads, road signs, bus stop shelters and roadside spaces is a high priority for them. With more than 900 kilometres of road under maintenance and an estimated $15 to $20 million spent every year of maintaining and improving road and roadside assets in Brimbank alone, the Brimbank City Council is not only keen on improving the lives and safety of local residents, but also on finding solutions that help councils around Australia save millions. To add extra complexity, the garbage trucks travel across every street in the council area each week and need to transmit the data in real-time while moving at varying speeds. The solution Cutting-edge technology The project will make use of Allied Vision’s high-resolution Nerian 3D system and GPS sensors, both attached to Brimbank’s waste trucks. The extensive data collected by these networked devices will be sent in real time to a cloudbased system that can create an easy-to-use map of objects in need of maintenance, such as road signs, bus stops or damaged roads. The stereo vision depth cameras attached to the garbage trucks will collect 3D perception data at a rate of 900 megabits per second. For comparison, average mobile download speeds in Australia in 2020 were around 43 megabits per second. As part of the project, maintenance teams will be able to get information directly on their phones and upload proof of maintenance performed on the spot. The benefits Less time and costs The use of waste trucks equipped with Allied Vision’s Nerian 3D depth system will dramatically reduce the time it takes to identify, report and fix problems, eliminating the need for costly manual reports and inspections and saving up to 50 per cent on asset testing costs. It is a quicker and more efficient way to identify which assets need maintenance, and to get the information to the work crews. Not only the time for improving the appearance of Brimbank’s roads, road signs, bus stop shelters and roadside spaces is reduced, the costs are also lower. This project is likely to lead the way for other councils considering 5G based solutions for road and roadside asset condition monitoring. Read more posts

A bustling warehouse, filled with endless rows of shelves and stacks of boxes, is now common, especially during big promotions. But as the global e-commerce market booms, the demands upon warehouses increases. That’s why more and more manufacturers and logistics companies are integrating their Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) with video security systems which can track individual parcels throughout their journey to the customer. The online shopping trend is booming, making everything from daily essentials to luxury items just a click away. In 2023, the global e-commerce market was valued at USD25.93 trillion, and is expected to grow rapidly, with a CAGR of 18.9% from 2024 to 2030. This surge in e-commerce means that warehouses will need to cope with a tremendous increase in the volume of parcels that must be handled and delivered. This is a clear opportunity for companies that provide services such as warehousing, logistics, and transportation. The struggle of warehouse operators However, with this growth comes the ever-increasing challenge of tracking and securing thousands of parcels each day to ensure they reach customers’ doorsteps safely. Each and every parcel needs to be tracked throughout its journey through the warehouse in order to prevent loss or damage. Moreover, because being able to do this can impact customer experience, especially if something goes wrong, then many warehouse operators now regard this as one of their top challenges. The issue becomes particularly critical when an item goes missing. Should a customer complain, the warehouse needs to review the video footage of the packaging process to understand what happened and take appropriate actions to address the missing item. In such circumstances, it has been hard to find video evidence of specific parcels passing through – and leaving – the warehouse because Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have tended to operate completely separately from video security systems. Manually searching through numerous videos to locate problematic orders is a highly time-consuming and labor-intensive process. This process can be further complicated if the footage that does exist is unclear. It is not surprising that many warehouses find it extremely hard to visually track the individual parcels that they handle. The good news is that there are solutions available today which greatly speed-up such video tracking processes, producing extremely clear, reliable information on demand. This, in turn, reduces costs, improves operational efficiency and, ultimately, increases profits. Such systems tend to include: A visual capture of the packing process A strategically positioned high-definition depth-of-field camera is usually placed at the packing table. This captures the entire scene and provides clear images of waybills, labels, and other details. Unified data integration Warehouse operators use barcode scanners or PDAs to input parcel information quickly and efficiently. The parcel information is then matched and archived based on time, place, parcel ID, and corresponding video footage. The integrated data is synchronized with the central management system to create a cohesive tracking network. Read More Post