The latest version of a ‘sense through the wall’ camera, developed by Israeli company Camero, can detect any object, wire, or even shallow breathing of a human, from a distance of over 50-meters (164 feet). The new tech is already changing the game for how security forces, police, and militaries face terror attacks, drug raids, conduct search, and rescue operations, and keep general safety.
“You can detect people in disaster scenarios, in the rubble, or in a fire,” Amir Beeri, CEO and founder of Camero, part of the SK Group, tells NoCamels. The newest Xaver Long Range 40 (XLR40) device “can be located in a place where you can scan very fast, very wide areas.”
Since 2004, Camero’s name has been known for its through-wall imaging systems. Other products in its arsenal, like the XLR80, can see through walls over 100 feet away but is not as portable as the latest version. The user can see real-time information such as how many people are in the room and where they are standing in addition to layouts of the room.
“To know it in real-time is very important as you can act on time, in some cases, the specific moment you’re doing something is critical. So you have to know what happens now. And when you can do it far away. It gives you a really significant advantage,” says Beeri.
What makes the XLR40 different from other products, says Beeri, is its portability. The device can be in a moving vehicle, hidden in walls or camouflage nets, or placed in apartments, offices, or rooftops.
It can be used to assist in hostage situations, military raids, mapping terrorist hideouts, and saving people from fires.
“Such distances enable you to be much more flexible during an operation … and to not enter a dangerous situation where you can be revealed,” Beeri says.
Take the 2017 Puebla earthquake in Mexico as an example of where Camero’s tech was used in real-time. First responders used the Israeli-made XLR systems to save lives.
“We can detect people under rubble, of course, up to a certain level. And, when the disaster happened, [the Mexican government] gave [our tech] to rescue teams. They used it very successfully. They located life, people under rubble, and saved their lives… We’re very happy with such uses,” he says. “It really saved lives.”
Another example where this tech can be used is in raids, when soldiers, firefighters, or police enter an unknown building. The tech gives a better picture of a situation before engagement.
The information security forces receive, means “the bad guys [won’t] feel protected behind the wall … [because] we can see how many there are and direction of movement. We can understand a lot of what happens inside where the terrorist doesn’t have a clue that they can be seen,” says Beeri.
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Or think of a potential hostage situation.
“Generally, hostages are not in motion and the kidnappers are more nervous and moving. So, you can get very valuable information, for example, during negotiation, and in parallel to negotiation. It can make your decision better in real-time,” he says.
So, how does this technology work?
Camero’s superpower “sight” comes via ultra-wideband range technology which pulsates multiple waves in nanoseconds at a wide range of frequencies. Ultra-wideband technology commonly (UMB) is a more accurate location tracker for indoor use than other types of radiofrequency technology such as GPS, Bluetooth or Wifi.
These frequencies are sent out from the XLR transmitter and the receiver measures how the waves are received compared to how they were sent out. The array of sensors on the device receives the signal and then reconstructs the image. It records and displays the data in real-time.
“All our systems are ultra-wideband. There is a very wide bandwidth in relatively low frequencies which enables them to penetrate walls and give us … a relatively high resolution,” he says.
This exact precision with the frequency and bandwidth, according to Beeri, allows the system to “work far from the object to penetrate at least one wall. Generally [it] can penetrate the external wall and at least one more internal wall so we can see deep into a house. It’s based on a new patent that we have analyzing these return signals variously in a specific way.”
Over the course of the last 18 years, Berri says the Camero team has “upgraded the hardware and software, and added new technologies like artificial intelligence which is inside the systems today to detect better, to track better, and to be more sensitive. And, the longer ranges give a comparative advantage for the users.”
But perhaps most importantly, the Israeli tech company has helped save “many lives with this type of technology.”
As an expert in advanced imaging technologies, particularly those related to security and surveillance, I can attest to the significance of the latest breakthroughs in through-wall imaging systems, exemplified by the Xaver Long Range 40 (XLR40) device developed by the Israeli company Camero. My deep understanding of the field allows me to shed light on the key concepts involved in this cutting-edge technology.
1. Through-Wall Imaging Systems: Camero has been a prominent player in through-wall imaging systems since 2004. These systems utilize advanced technologies to enable the visualization of objects and people through obstacles like walls. The XLR40 is the latest iteration, designed with a focus on portability and real-time information retrieval.
2. Ultra-Wideband Range Technology: The XLR40's "sight" is attributed to ultra-wideband range technology. Ultra-wideband (UMB) technology involves pulsating multiple waves in nanoseconds across a broad range of frequencies. This allows for highly accurate location tracking, especially in indoor environments, surpassing the capabilities of other radiofrequency technologies like GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
3. Real-Time Information Processing: The key advantage of the XLR40 lies in its ability to provide real-time information. The ultra-wideband signals transmitted by the device are received and analyzed by an array of sensors, reconstructing the image of the surroundings. This instantaneous processing of data is crucial in scenarios where timely action is imperative, such as in security operations, disaster response, or hostage situations.
4. Penetration of Walls: The XLR40's precision in frequency and bandwidth allows it to penetrate walls effectively. With the capability to pass through external and internal walls, the system can provide a detailed view deep into structures. This is made possible by a patented technology that analyzes return signals in a specific manner, allowing for a relatively high resolution.
5. Applications in Security and Emergency Response: The applications of this technology are vast and impactful. From assisting security forces in hostage situations to aiding in military raids and disaster response, the XLR40 proves to be a versatile tool. The ability to detect people in disaster scenarios, locate individuals under rubble, and provide critical information before engaging in potentially dangerous situations has been demonstrated in real-world scenarios, such as the 2017 Puebla earthquake in Mexico.
6. Continuous Technological Advancements: Camero has been at the forefront of continuous innovation, upgrading both hardware and software over the years. Incorporating artificial intelligence into their systems has enhanced detection, tracking, and sensitivity. The commitment to advancing technologies and extending detection ranges underscores Camero's dedication to providing a comparative advantage to users in various operational contexts.
In conclusion, the Xaver Long Range 40 (XLR40) through-wall imaging device by Camero represents a pinnacle in advanced surveillance technology. Its portability, real-time capabilities, and penetration through walls make it an invaluable asset for security forces, emergency responders, and military personnel, ultimately contributing to the preservation of lives in critical situations.
