"The most recent tests in the U.S. involve tunnel detection," SpiderTech
marketing director Elkana Pressler said. "The demonstrations have shown that
the SpiderTech sensor can accurately
identify people moving underground even with intense surface noise, like car
and truck traffic."
Tarantula was said to comprise a network of seismic sensors based on
signal processing technology that could detect the approach of people and
vehicles above ground as well as underground activity. The network of up to
200 sensors was designed to operate via a personal computer with command and
control system software.
In prototype testing in Israel and the United States, Tarantula, said to
have a false alarm rate of below 10 percent, detected people at a distance
of 30 meters and light vehicles at 100 meters. Executives said the ranges of
the three-dimensional sensors — each measuring 140x105 mm and with an
accuracy of up to five meters — were about twice that of existing sensor
technology systems.
"The sensors have a very low rate of false alarms, thus being extremely
difficult to bypass and enhance any existing perimeter security solution,"
SpiderTech said on Sept. 29.
SpiderTech has signed an agreement with Israel's Rada Electronic
Industries for the marketing of Tarantula in an effort that could result in
contracts in 2010. Executives said Rada would focus on Western governments
and militaries, particularly the United States. The system, which does not
require a line of sight with targets, has already been tested by the U.S.
Homeland Security Department in cooperation with the Washington-based firm
SAIC.
"We are currently focused on the high-end government market segment
where our solution is urgently needed," Pressler said. "We also intend to
expand our offering and introduce a commercial product line, tailored for
home protection."