RFID, GPS Technology and Electronic Surveillance

U.S. Government Awards $7 Billion from Intelligence Agency to Implement Next-Gen Satellite Imaging

August 10, 2010

Popular Science - The next generation of hi-res satellite imaging technology is on the way, at least if the United States government has anything to say about it. The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency has awarded satellite imaging firms GeoEye and DigitalGlobe, which provide images for Google and Microsoft among others, contracts upwards of $3.5 billion each to help them get the next wave of imaging technology into the sky.

Longmont, Colo.-based DigitalGlobe was given a $3.55 billion 10-year contract, to be paid out in annual installments. Virginia-based GeoEye, whose high-res photos have often been featured on PopSci.com, got the same terms on an even richer $3.8 billion contract. For that kind of cash, the government won't be accepting incremental improvements.

The NGA -- the organ of state responsible for the collection of military and intelligence satellite imagery -- wants next-gen technologies with higher-res capabilities as part of its EnhancedView program, an initiative to improve the military/intelligence community's imaging capability. To that end, DigitalGlobe already issued a statement that it will immediately get cracking on its next satellite, WorldView-3, which could launch in 2014. GeoEye's third-gen satellite, GeoEye-2, should be operational by 2013.

But the hardware isn't actually the most costly portion of the contracts. Both agreements stipulate that $2.8 billion of the sum offered is for photos that will be provided to the government over the course of the contract. The balance of each deal is for additional services, infrastructure upgrades, new hardware and the like.

But unlike most massive government contracts, the little guy can expect to see some kind value out of the deal. Though obviously the best high-res imagery goes to the highest bidder (the NGA), both GeoEye and DigitalGlobe provide images for commercial mapping services as well, and better satellites should lead to better publicly available satellite imagery too.

Biometric Vending Machines of the Future Use Thumbprint

August 11, 2010

MYFOXNY.COM - Your thumbprint might soon be the key to an afternoon candy bar. A Massachusetts based vending machine company is joinng the growing ranks of companies that are field-testing new technologies.

Next Generation Vending and Food Service is experimenting with biometric vending machines that would allow a user to tie a credit card to their thumbprint.

"For a certain demographic that is pretty cool," says company president John S. Ioannou.

Next Generation is currently testing about 60 of the biometric machines in various locations in the northeast.

The company is also testing other technologies. Ioannou says the key to the transforming the vending machine business is making the consumer feel more engaged.

The days might be numbered where a consumer watches a bag of chips roll through the machine and drop. Next Generation is also testing a machine that includes a 46" touch-screen display that acts similarly to an iPhone display. The user can click on an item, flip the image and even see the nutrional information on the back of the packaging.

Ioannou says initial results are good saying, "The feedback is extraordinary."

The machines include internally mounted cameras to monitor what is going on outside of the machine.

The tests are scheduled to run through the end of 2010. After that, Next Generation will decide if it is worth rolling out across its sales region in the northeast and Pennsylvania.

The company is also installing wireless or Ethernet connections on all of its current machines so there will be real-time reporting of the amount of goods in the machine for restocking purposes. Monitors will even be able to report when a coin is stuck in the machine. All of the current machines will be upgraded by the end of 2011.

There are other innovations that are being tested outside of the United States, including machines that use retinal scans to identify and charge consumers for their purchases.

Security Cameras to Patrol Streets of Austin, Texas

August 11, 2010

KXAN (AUSTIN)- Tuesday night during a Commanders' Forum , Austin police detailed how proposed police security cameras will be used to catch criminals in the Rundberg Lane area of East Austin near Interstate 35 and Sixth Street.

The plan is to install five to six cameras at a cost of $350,000.

Officials said they will be able to control the cameras at their headquarters. The security camera will be able to zoom in and get a clear picture of someone's face from about a half block away.

APD expects the cameras near Rundberg Lane will be able to pan, tilt and zoom -- however the ones on Sixth Street won't tilt so those who live in condominiums do not have their privacy violated. In addition the cameras will not be hidden and will be labeled as police cameras.

Authorities said the cameras will likely only be manned during sting operations.

"For the rest of the time, the majority of the time, they're just going to be recording. They're going to be stored on a seven-to-10-day retention period -- we're not sure yet -- which means it will be stored for about a week," said Lt. Ryan Huling, APD.

Some residents who attended the Commanders' Forum questioned how police would use the stored recordings while others are hopeful it will slow down the open drug deals that take place along Rundberg Lane.

"One of the reasons that we have high crime is because we can't catch the criminal in action. These cameras are going to help," said Armando Delgado, ceighborhood association member.

Austin City Council will vote on the funding for the security cameras next month.

The police department is looking for input from the public concerning their thoughts on security cameras.