NoblePeak Vision from Massachusetts have developed new video surveillance camera cores and components based on an image senor technology that enables the rapid detection and identification of people and objects in zero ambient lighting conditions.
Founded in 2002, NoblePeak Vision’s products are sensitive over the visible to short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum. Its integrated approach allows the entire infrared image sensor to be manufactured in a standard silicon process line.
NoblePeak will now receive a $500,000 grant from the U.S Department of Defense as well as mentorship with Paladin Capital Group to help develop its technology further.
The four other finalists had developed technologies that can identify people through biometric analysis of how they type, scan the eye to assess a person’s health, protect against multiple explosions, and recognize faces despite changing light, facial expressions and the presence or absence of beards, moustaches or spectacles.
All five had already made it through two rounds of judging before coming to London.
The judges for the final included representatives from government agencies and the private sector, including Jon Wills, the Security & Resilience Programmes Director at BAE Systems and Jeff David Deputy Director of TSWG at the U.S. Department of Defense.
Sir Richard Dearlove, the former chief of MI6, speaking at the awards ceremony, said all of the entrants were proof of how technology could enhance collective security.
“We are faced with complex new threats to society – and these are common to many different countries. We must also contend with the possibility that many new technologies have a dark side and may be used against us.
“The entrants in this year’s Global Security Challenge illustrate how technology should rather be used to enhance our collective security, and how the security interests of government and business more generally can benefit from this type of work at the cutting edge of scientific advancement.”
David, who chaired the judging committee, added: “Security has no boundaries. To ensure the safety of our world, it is critical to identify the most innovative security technologies by applying a global perspective.”
The Global Security Challenge, which was founded by MBA students at the London Business School, is an annual competition aiming to find the most promising security start-up in the world. Its stated mission is to stimulate technological innovations that make airports, cities and enterprises safer without encroaching on civil liberties.
