Technology transfer opportunities
In recent years, Iconal have participated in a number of security research programmes exploring new detection system concepts, especially using multiple, low-cost sensors and machine learning algorithms.
Several of these research activities have been successful in developing new technology for both the emerging urban security and for the more established aviation security markets. Iconal is not a product company and is seeking to transfer these technologies to a company with the size, structure and market reach to best exploit the opportunity they present. Please get in touch through the main contact page.
Four developments are currently available.
HTPX – High Throughput X-ray bag screening for mass casualty threats
HTPX is a novel fast, automatic and low-cost approach to screening bags for mass casualty threats at sports events, visitor attractions, transport hubs and other publicly accessible locations. It uses simple dual energy X-ray imaging combined with additional microwave radar and optical 3-D imaging sensors to distinguish benign bags from those containing large explosives or weapon threats. An algorithm based on machine-learning techniques provides automatic detection without the need for an operator to view any image. A prototype (at TRL 6) has been developed and shown to be able to screen more than 1000 bags/hour with high detection and low false alarm rates. Algorithm testing using data from real-life bags taken from a major London visitor attraction and threat bags containing representative firearm and simulated IED threats gave a detection rate of 90% with a corresponding false alarm rate of 2.5% and a detection rate of 95% at 7% false alarms. Independently conducted Government testing using live explosives and a range of firearms also gave very good results. HTPX could be rapidly productised to deliver new capability in the urban security market. A GB patent has been granted and international patent applications are in progress.
We presented this technology at SPIE Defense & Commercial Sensing 2021:
Michael C. Kemp, Samuel Pollock, Daniel R. Crick, and Laura J. Winter, “HTPX: fast, automatic, low-cost x-ray bag screening for mass-casualty threats,” Proc. SPIE 11738, Anomaly Detection and Imaging with X-Rays (ADIX) VI, 117380K (12 April 2021).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2587880
AcES – Multi-sensor threat detection for screening people and carried bags
AcES is a multi-sensor walk-by threat detection system for screening people and their carried bags for mass casualty threats using a combination of microwave, millimetre-wave, ultrasound and optical detection techniques. It provides new screening capabilities and automated detection at low hardware and operating costs due to its use of low-cost COTS components developed for mass-market consumer applications. Its compact size also enables deployment in many different locations and application areas. Funded in the UK Government’s 2016 Innovative Research Call for Explosives and Weapons Detection, AcES is one of very few technologies that can screen both people and their carried bags simultaneously for the presence of both metallic and non-metallic threats. A GB patent has been granted and international patent applications are in progress.
We presented this technology at SPIE Defense & Commercial Sensing 2021:
Samuel Pollock, Daniel R. Crick, Laura J. Winter, and Michael C. Kemp “Multi-sensor threat detection for screening people and their carried bags”, Proc. SPIE 11749, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XXII, 1174908 (12 April 2021).
TKC – Safe, non-contact technique to rapidly screen for concealed bladed weapons
TKC was developed as part of a UK Home Office initiative into novel detection techniques to help tackle knife crime. It uses an innovative microwave radar technique to detect and discriminate between knives and benign objects such as mobile phones, keys and folding umbrellas. TKC uses an array of low-cost COTS chip-scale radars and an architecture which avoids the cost and complexity of traditional microwave imaging systems. A prototype has been developed and is being prepared for independent evaluation in a Government laboratory.
HART – Multi-sensor hand-held alarm resolution
Developed as part of the UK Department for Transport/Home Office Future Aviation Security Systems (FASS) programme, HART is a multi-sensor, hand-held system for resolution of alarms from AIT/Security Scanners in aviation security and other applications. It uses a machine-learning algorithm to fuse the output from a diverse range of sensors of several different types, coupled with position sensors, to provide non-contact, automatic detection of both metallic and non-metallic anomalies on the body. Several prototypes have been developed and used to develop the mechanical design and user-interface with end-users.