Robotic Security Technology Developer Knightscope Opens Federal Initiative
Knightscope, Inc., a developer of fully autonomous robots for security applications, has kicked off its federal government initiative with the engagement of
C5 Business Development Innovations (C5BDI), a strategic planning, management and business development consulting firm that has expertise in non-traditional contracting. C5BDI also has experience briefing higher echelons of the Pentagon, intelligence community and military forces to help its clients pursue federal business opportunities. Knightscope, which is based in California, says its pursuit of federal government work will build on its growth in the private and municipal sectors. “After years of developing Knightscope’s security robot technologies, we are excited to leverage our expertise to help the nation better secure federal facilities, bases, and assets, which we view as a significant growth opportunity in the coming years,” says William Santana Li, the company’s chairman and CEO.
Chinese Airport Pilots Smiths Detection Advanced Security Checkpoint
Smiths Detection says China’s Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is trialing the company’s smart security checkpoint, which consists of the HI-SCAN 6040p-2is dual view X-Ray system for carry-on bags and the iLane.evo automated tray handling system. The iLane.evo system automatically reroutes bags alerted for suspicious to a secondary inspection area without requiring the X-Ray system operator to put the bag through the scanner again, minimizing bottlenecks. The operational pilot with real passengers runs until March 2020. This is the first trial of the integrated checkpoint system in China.
CBP Deploying Facial Comparison Technology to El Paso Port of Entry
Customs and Border Protection says it is deploying facial comparison technology to the El Paso, Texas, Port of Entry for pedestrian crossings into the U.S. from Mexico. The technology has already been installed at three of the 14 pedestrian lanes at the Paso Del Norte International Crossing. The technology is expected to be installed at the remaining lanes and at the pedestrian facilities at the Bridge of the Americas and Ysleta Bridge later this year. CBP says that when travelers arrive to enter the U.S. at a pedestrian port of entry equipped with facial comparison technology, they pose for a photo at a primary inspection point. The CBP officer will review and query the traveler’s travel document, which will retrieve the traveler’s passport or visa photo from government holdings. They live photo taken at the inspection station will be compared to existing images in a government database using the Traveler Verification Service. The process takes several seconds and is over 97 percent accurate, CBP says. “By automating the identity verification process, CBP can process travelers more efficiently while virtually eliminating the ability of criminals to present other people’s legitimate documents as their own for admission to the United States,” says Hector Mancha, CBP’s director of Field Operations at El Paso. U.S. citizens can opt out of having their photo take and advise the CBP officer they wish to undergo alternative screening procedures for identity verification.
DroneShield Introduces Vehicle-Mounted Counter UAS Product
DroneShield Ltd. Has released a vehicle-mounted unmanned aircraft system (UAS) detection and defeat system, DroneSentry-X. The 10-kilogram system is compact in size and mountable on most vehicles, the company says, adding it expects its existing customer base in military, law enforcement, security and VIP markets will be interested in DroneSentry-X. DroneShield says development of the new system was based on customer interest and will be available for delivery in 2020. “Vehicle market for counter-drone protection is rapidly rising,” says Oleg Vornik, CEO of DroneShield. “In addition to catering for that segment, DroneSentry-X provides a more affordable detect-and-defeat solution for price-sensitive customers as an alternative to purchasing full-functionality DroneSentry from us.”