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| Down Under |
| Sydney firm has security in a bubble |
| 2004-04-28 |
| IT sounds like something out of a science fiction movie – an invisible "forcefield" protecting landmarks and high-security installations from terrorist attack. But it’s a reality and the early warning weapon in the hi-tech war against terrorism has been developed in our own backyard. A Sydney firm has invented an invisible "bubble" that can be thrown around buildings, ports, airports and even parts of the sea using thermal imaging technology. Castle Hill-based Zone Products Australia’s system can detect a tank at 15km in pitch black conditions and can alert the presence of chemicals, gases, radioactive and other materials in a protected area. It is capable of providing an intrusion protection shield from the seabed to low-level airspace – a world first. It can detect not only human body heat but a range of chemical weaponry, so-called "dirty bombs" containing uranium, as well as common types of explosives. People, aircraft, cars, divers, dinghies as well as a range of deadly devices can be picked up and, if in place, the system could have prevented the Madrid bombings. The spatial multi-sensing protection system has been designed specifically to monitor and protect military installations, infrastructure, landmarks and commercial operations. The "Thermal Bubble" can be used invisibly at checkpoints, perimeters or to encompass entire installations with a series of long-range heat-sensitive cameras. In the case of terrorist attacks on rail systems, underground tunnels and underwater port foundations, the Thermal Bubble deployed at entry points can provide early warning, enabling authorities to take preventative measures. Zone Products Australia managing director Bill Nolan said the system could detect body heat through snow, rain, sleet, dust or blizzards. "We started working on it after September 11," he said. "Our sole intent was to provide early warning of attacks to enable targets to be evacuated or defended. We have completed testing on real targets and believe that our technology has achieved its aim at a world-class level." Although for "security reasons" Mr Nolan can’t reveal which companies have bought it, it’s understood at least one sensitive installation in Australia has installed the system. The Pentagon, a client of Zone, has also expressed an interest. Zone is a finalist in the Innovation and Information Technology categories of the Western Sydney Industry Awards, with the winners to be announced on Friday. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #3 Phil- You're absolutely right, but let me point out Clarke's Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguisible from magic." In Iraq, the locals thought that wraparound sunglasses were x-ray machines. They thought we had miniaturized air conditioners in our guys' uniforms. They believe that our satellites can see through roofs and bunkers. Let the press call it a force field. Let the bad guys believe it. It's one more arrow in the quiver. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2004-04-28 9:06:56 AM |
| #2 Predator technology finally makes the mainstream. |
| Posted by: Baltic Blog 2004-04-28 3:20:44 AM |
| #1 Its an infrared thermal imaging system. The 'forcefield' is journalistic license. |
| Posted by: Phil_B 2004-04-28 2:33:53 AM |