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Bureau of Land Management to deploy UAV to Idaho
Agency hopes to use the unnamed craft to keep track of vegetation and recreational areas; monitoring land-use permits a major impetus; local libertarian object to government interference
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Hafmynd sells two GAVIA AUVs to undisclosed militaries
Icelandic firm a leader — ask Frost and Sullivan — in autonomous underwater vehicles; U.S. Navy SPAWAR just one previous customer for this disruptive technology; vehicle’s sensor flexibility a major selling point
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HISS Cyber Tracker goes solar
GPS vehicle tracking and monitoring system no longer requires a dedicated power source; improvement expands company’s access to the RV market, among others; full production expected by the end of the year
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Chicago security planners go too far
City residents draw the line on public surveillance when it is incorporated into public art; Crown Fountain installation removed; Americans remain ambivalent about public CCTV
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West Virginia city offers CCTV rebates for downtown businesses
Concerned about vandalism, city offers shopkeepers a $1,500 rebate on prenegotiated four-camera systems; unique arrangement allows police full access to the cameras and attached DVRs
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ViaLogy and Boeing develop detection system emulating bugs' eyes
The most advanced science-based companies try to emulate to vision architecture of humble insects and reptiles in order to improve precise detction applications
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SF deploys license plate scanners to fighting parking scofflaws
Onboard system is programmed to locate cars sporting five or more outstanding parking tickets; violators immediately get the boot; emerging technology finds many friends in law enforcement
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New vortex generators to help UUVs dock
Squid and octopi inspire Colorado researchers to develop a more effective design for unmanned underwater vehicles; no need to trade litheness for docking stability; enhanced craft can even parallel park
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Marines abandon Dragon Eye UAV for the Raven B
Although the Dragon Eye has seen its share of successes, high cost and inability to handle strong winds sent the Marines back to the drawing board; AeroVironment’s Raven B, already popular with the Army, looks to take up the mission at lower cost
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Northrop to supply Navy with two Fire Scout UAV helicopters
$16.2 million contract modification a good sign for this intriguing craft; based on the Schweizer Model 333 manned helicopter, Fire Scout is especially suited for reconnaissance, mine detection, and as a communications node for future warfare applications
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DRS receives $10 million DoD order for its MSTAR radar system
Low energy-consumptive MSTAR is ideally suited for perimeter security applications; company already a government favorite for its thermal weapon sights
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Dayton positions itself as a sensor center
Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission awards $28 million for the development of a sensor technology research center; business partners include Woolpert, General Dynamics, UES, YSI, and L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics
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Nice to grow through strategic acquisitions
Israeli video surveillance maker completed three acquisitions in 2006 for more than $235 million; it is planning on acquiring additional companies
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RemoteReality receives $7.3 million in VC funding
Battelle Ventures and Chart Venture partners pick up the tab; company a DoD favorite for its 360-degree video analytics technology; USS Cole and USS Greenville incidents drive demand for on-board surveillance and monitoring
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U Maryland team develops new surveillance technology
Terrapins researchers develop a human-gait recognition biometric system which, when combined with aaditional facial and height recognition elements, offers a powerful new surveillance tool aiming to prevent criminal and terrorist act, not merely record them
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The long view
How DHS Laid the Groundwork for More Intelligence Abuse
I&A, the lead intelligence unit of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) —long plagued by politicized targeting, permissive rules, and a toxic culture —has undergone a transformation over the last two years. Spencer Reynolds writes that this effort falls short. “Ultimately, Congress must rein in I&A,” he adds.