• World's first thermal glider takes off

    The world’s first thermally powered robotic vehicle takes off; the new glider draws its energy for propulsion from the differences in temperature — thermal stratification — between warm surface waters and colder, deeper layers of the ocean

  • Wireless CCTV shows body-worn surveillance service

    U.K. company launches body-worn CCTV aiming to help security agents in the field; the equipment comes in both overt and covert configurations; devices help field agents gather information and evidence — and it also helps supervisors at HQ to monitor the situation in the field

  • NATS selects Era's Squid for Gatwick

    Leading provider of airport navigation and traffic management services selects a vehicle-mounted surveillance and monitoring solution for its Gatwick operations: Era’s Squid monitors ground traffic at busy airports (and Gatwick claims it is “the world’s busiest single runway airport”)

  • EVT in distribution agreement with Russian security distributor

    Russian security distributor orders 1,000 Licenses for Vertex Networked Video Management Software from EVT; Russia is a lucrative market for surveillance equipment and gear aimed at critical infrastructure facilities

  • U.S. to increase Earth observation capabilities

    In 2006 the administration cut the budget for several planned sensors which would have sustained key, long-standing climate measurements; the new Bush budget proposal shows that funding for these sensors has been restored — even enhanced

  • Hamburg’s Deutsche Bahn selects Verint solution

    Verint’s networked video solution aims to enhance security across Germany’s second city’s urban railway network

  • March Networks to acquire Cieffe

    Canadian provider of intelligent IP video acquires innovative designer of award-winning IP video surveillance solutions; acquisition will expand March Networks’ European presence

  • GuardTrax SFL used by security at Super Bowl

    GuardTrax SFL is a GPS tracking solution for foot patrol security personnel; remember those guards who were found asleep at Peach Bottom nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania? GuardTrax SFL has a solution: A motion sensor will report if the device has had no motion for a predetermined amount of time

  • New Israeli satellite sends first pictures to earth

    Two weeks ago, Israel launched a sophisticated new spy satellite into space as part of beefing up the country’s security against the growing Iranian threat; satellite sends first photos to earth

  • EDI to use Xyratex to manage Beijing Airport security

    EDI Technology, a Chinese storage integrator, will use Xyratex F5412E RAID system from Xyratex, a U.K.-based enterprise data storage subsystems and storage process technology provider, for online and archive storage of video surveillance at Beijing Capital International Airport

  • Role of U.S. companies in building China's internal security system reviewed

    The Chinese government decided last year to invest heavily in security technology — especially intelligent CCTVs equipped with facial recognition capabilities; the Chinese say it has to do with security for the Summer Olympics; the sheer scope and breadth of the project, though, means that the new security system aims to strengthen the government’s ability to repress basic freedoms; role of U.S. companies questioned

  • Robots use electromagnetic force to create shape-shifting swarm

    Carnegie Mellon researchers develop herds, or swarms, of robots using electromagnetic forces to cling to each other so they assume any shape or formation on the go; The prototype robots use electromagnetic forces to maneuver themselves, communicate, and even share power

  • RFID technology ever more pervasive, pt. I

    RFID tags are everywhere — on boxed goods, in some computer printers, car keys and tires, on shampoo bottles and department store clothing tags; they are also in library books, contactless payment cards, passports, and travel documents; they introduce efficiency and security to the supply chain, but also allow companies and organizations to track the behavior and shopping patterns of individuals

  • NSA, other spy agencies enlisted in effort to address cyber vulnerability

    Prepare for another heated NSA-domestic spying debate: The Bush administration issues secret directive on 8 January — informally known as the “cyber initiative” — expanding the intelligence community’s role in monitoring Internet traffic; the goal is to protect against a rising number of attacks on federal agencies’ computer systems

  • MapSnapper allows queries of points of interest on maps

    Southampton University researchers develop MapSnapper; solution allows cell phone users to take pictures of map sections and have the pictures come back to them with points of interest added; these points of interest can then be queried further; solution could help phone screen advertising — and first responders rushing to the scene of a disaster