A fast non-intrusive vapour detection system that rapidly identifies explosives in public areas

Project Information

AirBrush

Grant agreement ID: 811977

DOI

10.3030/811977

Project closed

EC signature date 5 September 2018

Start date 1 April 2018

End date 31 December 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 1 529 150,00

EU contribution

€ 1 070 405,00

Coordinated by

EYE ON AIR BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AirBrush (A fast non-intrusive vapour detection system that rapidly identifies explosives in public areas)

Reporting period: 2019-04-01 to 2020-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Terrorism has become the most prominent security issue of the 21st century and fighting terrorism is a top priority. Our society has been the target of a series of deadly terror attacks in recent years. A total of 11,072 terrorist attacks occurred worldwide in 2016, resulting in more than 25,600 total deaths and more than 33,800 people injured . In Europe, 142 attacks with 379 injuries and 142 deaths were reported in 2016 . Explosives were used in 54% of the attacks. Explosives or bombs can be made easily at home and hidden simply in a suit or under clothes, making it impossible to notice without specialised equipment. Moreover, the explosives are getting increasingly ‘explosive’: critical quantities as required to cause serious damage are getting smaller, which complicates detection. Recent terrorist attacks clearly demonstrate that there is a gap in detecting explosive threats in public areas: the September 2017 terrorist bombing in a crowded London subway station injured at least 30 passengers; the March 2016 bombings at Brussels Zaventem Airport - 32 killed and 170 injured; the June 2016 bomb attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport - 41 killed and more than 230 injured. Any public area is a potential terrorism target, including airport, metro, train station, museum, shopping mall, etc.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the project, Eye on Air: completed the industrial design of the AirBrush system; performed the series of tests, including a testing at airport; defined a plan for large scale validation; conducted market analysis; granted multiple patent applications; secured 4 airports and 8 distributors for the commercialization.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The overall objective of AirBrush innovation project is to optimize the AirBrush design and validate its performance through pilot test with NCTV at selected Airport in order to obtain relevant certification and credibility. In addition to the technical activities, Eye on Air will need to strengthen the cooperation with NCTV and other national security authorities in order to monitor and influence specific ECAC regulations for shoe screening. This will enable the Company to accelerate the introduction of Explosive Vapour Detection devices and the shoe screening in ordinary control procedures. The Airports Council International Security Taskforce will also be exploited to strengthen Eye on Air position. This taskforce brings together the security directors of Europe’s leading airports together with security directors from Turkey, Israel and Russia.

airbrush-small-300x222.png