What is the purpose of Plyrotech Labs?
As we move into a cycle of sales, for shareholder value we are seeking financial instruments such as offset funding, Government grants or co-operative research engineering development agreements and strategic partnerships. To ensure compliance to certain programs of funding, we must be able to demonstrate time and financial resource to be allocated only to Research and Development. Working on funded initiatives also requires the company to understand and report an accurate technology readiness level (TRL).
Plyrotech labs, is now the internal division that has been formulated to function with that exact purpose.
What is TRL?
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) is to measure the maturity of technology components for a system. The measurement gives an understanding of how much development a certain technology needs before being utilized. A TRL rating helps in measuring the progress of a project.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Scale
TRL is based on a scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology. The use of TRL enables consistent, uniform, discussions of technical maturity across different types of technologies.
What Technologies?
Our innovations in development aim to provide seamless security for protecting public places. Our sensor technologies aim to deliver high-throughput, speed, and accuracy to deliver that important initial detection of threats.
Our team have designed and produced technologies that have been deployed by several governments and military agencies. Our combined technological ingenuity provided safe and effective security measures were implemented at several Olympic events, the multi-million Papal Mass on Copacabana beach and several soccer World Cup events.
WHY ARE NEW TECHNOLOGIES NEEDED?
Airports are a perfect example. Despite having some of the most extensive security of any checkpoint the Airport, pre-security 'landside’ check-in areas have in recent times been exploited by terrorists to deadly effect.
Our sensor technologies aim to monitor and communicate vital data points to detect threats early. With more travellers every year and evolving security threats presented, airport operators and Homeland Security must constantly refresh their operations and work to keep airports moving smoothly and increase passenger safety without adding time and intrusion to the passenger experience.
Security in public venues, stadiums, mass transit areas and open-air concerts are also very difficult.
Events in Paris, Las Vegas, London, and Brussels have demonstrated how attackers have a significant, and all too often, deadly impact by attacking large groups of people in confined spaces. The post-event footage of these attacks has shown that the ensuing chaos impedes security and rescue services in delivering assistance and instruction in such a situation. This has demonstrated a need for concealed weapons detection technology that can detect terror threats as they appear.
Our Labs technologies
SS1 Shoe Scanner
(SS1) is a floor-mounted 3D imaging system that uses harmless millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging techniques to inspect footwear to determine if it has been altered or is being used to transport concealed items, such as weaponry, substances, compounds, or electronic items.
The SS1 can be used at security and identification checkpoints to eliminate the need for footwear removal, streamlining the security screening process and reducing bottle necks.
Why shoe scanning?
It has been recognized by the U.S. Department for Homeland Security that utilizing millimeter-wave (MMW) technology for screening shoes will soon become an integral part of their ‘Apex Screening at Speed’ (SaS) Program. The program, which started in 2016, is pursuing transformative research and development activities that support a future vision for increasing security effectiveness, while dramatically reducing wait times and improving the passenger experience. Similar to the full-body scanners at airports, which also use harmless MMW, the PRT SS1 will be looking for concealed threats.
TRL 4 - Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment.
CODA 1
CODA (Cognitive Object Detection Apparatus) is a uniquely designed, ultra-compact modular radar device that can be utilized for a variety of applications across many industries, covering everything from traditional radar for drone or aircraft detection, through to low-power stand-off weapon detection.
The CODA system is a production status item. Not prototype. It has been used in several programs in the United States under the Laboratory Directed Research and Development and programs funded under the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme and armasuisse Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport.
The CODA system has been tested by the US Army Night Vision and Electronic sensors directorate (NVESD). It is also now under the application submission for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) APEX Screening at speed (SaS) Program, https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/apex-screening-speed
Why CODA 1?
The Boston Marathon Attack, Manchester Arena UK. These events highlighted the requirement for bomb detection.
CODA 1 is a US Government tested stand-off weapon detection system, specifically configured to identify bombs, weapons and threat items that are concealed upon the person. CODA 1 is able to detect concealed weapons, such as suicide bombs, assault weaponry and large bladed weapons from 3-10 feet.
It’s small and mobile configuration allows for quick set up and tear down, making it an ideal security measure for situations with short-term security concerns.
The device can be used as a first layer detection device that can be used in government authorised checkpoint environments that have all relevant government and lawful search permissions. It can also be used by the Military for checkpoints to screen personnel coming into a FOB (Forward Operating Base) in any environment.
PRT also envisions the CODA 1 system being integrated on our X1/XV drones and currently available security robots for threat detection in unstructured crowds. These types of robots add an additional layer of security in busy parking lots/structures, shopping malls, hospitals, and corporate campuses.
TRL 8 - Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration.
MIRIAD
MIRIAD is a prototype compact sensor package that is specifically designed for use on UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems).
The sensor is being designed to support a variety of functions, from the primary function of detecting assault weapons and person-borne improvised explosive devices (PBIEDs), alongside a whole spectrum of other uses, such as detecting breaks in power cables, solar farm efficiencies, structure degradation and external corrosion. The sensor uses completely passive techniques, which means there are no emissions and therefore no regulatory issues.
Why MIRIAD?
MILITARY
Poor visibility has always been a restriction in both military and humanitarian campaigns, where the ability to see through inclement weather or dust storms would make all the difference. Military helicopters more often than civilian operate on Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Unlike most civilian helicopters, military aircraft often land in dusty environments reducing their own landing and take-off to zero visibility, or as it’s known in aviation terms a CAT3C approach or take off. The ability to see through the unseen by MMW is something that is of great interest. Our team have discussed this promising development with some of the biggest names in military and civilian aviation.
COMMERCIAL
MMW capture when applied through image processing technology delivers a host of information and nuances that are not visible to the human eye. Wear through high-tension sheathing, miniscule gassing, or flawed layering of certain coatings – also in biological studies, the technology has been found to give protein level and infection presence through bandages. The industrial and medical applications for this technology can be use both airborne and static.
TRL 4 - Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment.