SPECIAL REPORT
Stage Gate 11 Develops Screening Solutions for the Future SG11 and its Airport Security Vision Best for Business SG11’s Solutions
Published by Global Business Media
SPECIAL REPORT
Stage Gate 11 Develops Screening Solutions for the Future SG11 and its Airport Security Vision Best for Business
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Contents
SG11’s Solutions
Introduction
2
SG11 and its Airport Security Vision
3
Core Competences Core Values Vision Published by Global Business Media
Layers Instead of Lanes
Published by Global Business Media
Best for Business
Global Business Media Limited 62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT United Kingdom
Best 4 Business Principle
Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Email: info@globalbusinessmedia.org Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org
SG11’s Solutions
Publisher Kevin Bell
Delta R Shoe Scanner AR
Business Development Director Marie-Anne Brooks
4
Brand Promise
5
Delta R Optical ETD ECHO X Technology Explained
Senior Project Manager Steve Banks Advertising Executives Michael McCarthy Abigail Coombes Production Manager Paul Davies For further information visit: www.globalbusinessmedia.org The opinions and views expressed in the editorial content in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of any organisation with which they may be associated. Material in advertisements and promotional features may be considered to represent the views of the advertisers and promoters. The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily express the views of the Publishers or the Editor. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, neither the Publishers nor the Editor are responsible for such opinions and views or for any inaccuracies in the articles.
© 2022. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. Full details are available from the Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 1
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Introduction
U
ndeniably, the airport security industry finds
Automation provides advantages, especially in the
itself in an ever-changing scenery. At this
security field. Besides time, machines avoid biased
point in time, we see the effect of COVID. Where
decisions, can support contactless screening, allow
the demand for air transport obviously dropped
for high throughput, and can be updated to deal with
when COVID made its first appearance, how
new threats or legislation. The investment in machines
and whether it will bounce back to its previous
will balance out with personnel costs in no time, and
levels is still unsure. It becomes obvious that
provide a great business case.
efficiency and flexibility are important focus points
Developing these machines, keeping them
within the industry. It became very clear that scaling
intuitive, friendly, and inviting, while maintaining the
up and down created bottlenecks with personnel:
highest security level is of course challenging. Many
firing, hiring, contracts and payment, educating
companies work on these machines, and we see
and training. Time-consuming and out of tune
more and more automation while at the same time
with the phase of the market. It became perfectly
improving passenger experience.
clear that we need to head towards automation
A company that delivers these machines for Airport
and use people where needed and technology
Security is Stage Gate 11. They will be featured in this
when possible.
Report which provides an insight into their thinking and work.
2 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
SG11 and its Airport Security Vision S
TAGE GATE 11 believes that technological innovations can change the world into a safer and more convenient place. Following their airport security future vision, they aim to influence markets and create an impact with their innovative screening and detections solutions, based on their own technologies.
Core Competences Stage Gate 11 builds ‘engines’ and solutions for autonomous and automated detection of illicit materials, with both our own UV and X-ray technology as the most important asset. • I nvent | concepts that are places in the sweet spot between market demands and technological possibilities •D evelop | from technical possibilities to fully functioning innovative solutions • I ntroduce | new business development of innovative solutions
Core Values •T hinking in solutions based on science •A ction-oriented and moving forwards is in our DNA • Always have both buyer and end user in mind
Vision Stage Gate 11 are developers but are convinced that new innovations should connect to a broader view on what aviation security could be like in the near future. In their opinion future security concepts generally need to cope with 3 aspects: • Lower costs (labor, equipment) • Greater flexibility and scalability in fixed m2 (growth of passengers, redundancy of equipment) • Better experience for passengers and agents (self-service, aesthetic and with a high degree of hygiene)
In essence, this goal is best tackled with their Blue Ocean Strategy approach. This innovation theory focusses on creating new concepts, based on value innovation. Wil Ruijsbroek, co-founder of Stage Gate 11: “Value innovation for aviation security can be achieved with a holistic view on security processes, by creating concepts based on lower total cost of ownership combined with added value for all stakeholders involved, including passengers, agents, security operations and the airport itself. This approach results in what we call Best for Business Security Solutions.” Embracing this theory and their Best for Business philosophy, Stage Gate 11’s vision on the security filter of the near future is a layer-based screening approach. This provides an intuitive and scalable solution to the challenges being faced. This can be best explained with the help of the image below.
Layers Instead of Lanes You see a security area divided in layers instead of lanes. The security area is fully automated with personnel only there to guide and assist. An important difference with the current system is the absence of separate lanes. This way the system is less vulnerable when failure, fallout or alarms are encountered. Also, this setup allows for easy updates when legislation changes, by just updating software or interchanging machines. For passengers this method of security screening provides a more relaxed experience. They will not have to wait in line and can proceed to following layers, unlocking their screened and safe status at their own pace.
WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 3
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Value and comfort are added by separating hand luggage from passengers. During the security screening process, the passengers do not have to worry about their belongings, after the check it will directly be stored in a smart storage unit, accessible at all times. This warehouse provides a whole new concept that can be compared to an intelligent locker. Once on airside, passengers can decide to leave their bags in the warehouse, perhaps even adding some goods, and allow all of it to be brought to the
plane. As well as optimizing flow and saving costs, this new way of thinking about luggage screening provides interesting value and convenience for passengers. Lowering costs while creating value is important for introducing innovations successfully and is the essence of a Blue Ocean Strategy. This vision forms the foundation of all that Stage Gate 11 develops. They believe that, by doing so, their products, business cases and actions are innovative and futureproof.
Best for Business B
As well as optimizing flow and saving costs, this new way of thinking about luggage screening provides interesting value and convenience for passengers
UILDING SOLUTIONS, based on new technologies, that fit a client’s need is perhaps best described as a combination of art and engineering. Knowing what the technology is capable off, what concepts of operations are, and aim for the best possible business case, but also in-depth understanding needs, future trends and design skills are needed to create what we call: Best 4 Business Solutions. At SG11 we believe in a multi-layered approach. That means we develop our products not only on a technical, but also on a social and economic level. We combine technology with data analysis and market research to create an interconnected solution to opportunities in the field of airport security and adjacent markets. We call this package ‘Best 4 Business’. All products that we produce, sell and deliver are evaluated and assessed against the Best 4 Business principle.
Best 4 Business Principle Our promise is that the products we develop are balanced between the concerns of all stakeholders involved. Legislation determines the level of safety for years to come. We keep an eye out for the future and ask ourselves whether decisions should be machine made or can best stay man-made, what the level of flexibility and scalability of the new system must be. We stand for the best user experience for the passenger, and safe working conditions for agents and maintenance. All of this within budget, with the highest level of quality and state of the art technology. We create technical innovations that enhance safety, convenience, and efficiency in the field of airport security. “We develop our products not only on a technical, but also on a social and economic level.” Wil Ruijsbroek
4 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
Brand Promise Our team is built around this brand promise in our offices and lab in Breukelen and Delft. Data and software engineers, product engineers, designers, researchers, and business experts work in close collaboration during the entire startup, development- and end phase of the process to incorporate and think through all the Best 4 Business layers. The people of SG11 work together as a curious and open team and are dedicated to deliver the best solution possible. Concluding, as a customer you can expect an intelligent solution, derives from insights of all stakeholders, a business case with more value than the current situation. Ongoing dedication of the SG11 team to keep delivering the highest quality and intelligence within all products. People where needed, technology when possible. We keep building the most optimal case and follow our drive: having impact by creating safe and convenient products for the security industry.
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
SG11’s Solutions T
HREE PRODUCTS are currently being developed by Stage Gate 11. All three are for the airport security industry and all three fit perfectly within their airport vision and Best 4 Business concept.
DELTA R OPTICAL ETD
Delta R Optical ETD The Delta R Optical ETD, is the next generation Explosive Trace Detection solution. It operates based on known ETD procedures. By using our patented Delta R technology, the OTD allows for highly reliable screening with a high dynamic range. It has been designed to allow high throughput, requiring mere seconds to scan the proprietary trap. In a formal test, the detection limit of the platform was evaluated and confirmed to be in line with conventional trace detection technologies. The CTO of Stage Gate 11, Rob Satink, comments about the recent advancements: “With the Delta R Shoe Scanner, a certain sensitivity-level is possible. This sensitivity is mainly determined through the scanning requirements,
the geometrical orientation of our device in relation to the passenger, and exposure limits which are safe for general use. However, when you look at this from a generalist viewpoint, it quickly draws out the question: what would happen if we take the technology to the limit of its capability? I am glad that we can show at this junction, in a test to affirm the TRL-4 milestone of the Delta R OTD demonstrator, that we incur a manifold improvement of sensitivity.” The demonstrator is in the first stages of product development. In the same manner that conventional trace detection technologies operate, a trap is used to catch as much material as possible from a surface and then the trap is inserted into the OTD for analysis. To date, the Delta R OTD hardware platform has been tested with an autonomous detection algorithm, to confirm the operational performance of the final product. Rob Satink continues: “To produce such a device, we bring together various disciplines: data sciences, materials science, forensic science, physics, and chemistry; so, this is not any one person’s singular effort. It is this combined know-how that culminates in this milestone. We show that the Delta R OTD concept can achieve similar sensitivity levels to those found in conventional trace detection technology.” The Optical ETD comes with a standoff screening option to scan small items that passengers carry with them such as wallets, passports, and keys.
DELTA R SHOE SCANNER AR
WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 5
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Such items can be screened without using a swab. This results in lower operational costs and less chance of damaging expensive personal belongs such as telephones or watches. With Stage Gate 11’s optical technology, bake-out times are history. Combined with the lower amounts of swaps needed, the Optical ETD solutions can certainly be described as Best 4 Business! https://sg11.nl/products/delta-r-optical-etd/
Delta R Shoe Scanner AR
the Delta R OTD hardware platform has been tested with an autonomous detection algorithm, to confirm the operational performance of the final product
In security lanes, an efficient throughput is crucial. Alarms cause bottlenecks. They weaken the security shell, lower the throughput, require agents, increase costs and result in bad passenger experience. Alarms caused by shoes are a major disruption. Today, this means taking of the shoes for an X-ray inspection or an ETD-procedure. Both concepts of operations are time consuming, occupy additional actions of an agent and disturb the passenger flow. Reason enough for SG11 to step in and resolve these alarms conveniently and thoroughly. The Delta R shoe scanner can be placed immediately after the body scanner. When an alarm goes off in the shoe or lower leg area, the passenger can be redirected to the Delta R Shoe scanner to resolve the alarm. The method of operation is effortless - the passenger steps onto the plate without removing shoes, waits for a sign of clearance and can continue moving forward. This results in a natural flow of the security lane, without any bottlenecks in security. The Delta R Shoe Scanner AR is specifically developed to resolve alarms on shoes and lower leg area by using a convenient scanning method. This is accomplished through non-contact remote sensing technology, which is convenient, fast and hygienic. The AR-solution has evolved from the Delta R Shoe Scanner to enable high-fidelity scans of shoes and the lower leg area to detect illicit traces. https://sg11.nl/products/delta-r-shoe-scanner-ar/
ECHO X
6 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
ECHO X DT-Solutions, a subsidiary of SG11, develops the X-Ray ECHO spectrometry method. This allows dangerous substances to be detected and identified with great precision and reliability through barriers, such as suitcases, bags, packages and containers, without having to be opened. This technology allows baggage/ cargo pieces, identified as suspicious by explosive detection equipment, to undergo an automated alarm resolution process for the presence of illicit substances. One of the main challenges airports face today is to keep up with the demands that are related to the Hold Baggage Screening process. Legislation is tightening and expected growth numbers after the COVID-19 crisis will result in a tremendous pressure in this specific process. Alarm Resolution in the HBS process can be characterised as a labour intensive and costly process in an environment with less floor space to expand easily. Due the new legislation that is active today, airports were forced to upgrade their screening level of HBS. 2nd Stage screening devices have become primary, leaving an open spot for automated alarm resolution This change has resulted in a strong increase of rejected baggage that must be screened manually; on average 20% of all baggage. Significantly more agents are needed for the alarm resolution process (in a labour market today where there are hardly any people available for this kind of work) and more scarce square meters are now needed to resolve alarms. This results in: • a tremendous increase of costs for airport operations • hold baggage that misses their flights during time consuming manually rescreening • a negative impact on passenger experience. And these problems will increase the coming years. As stated, legislation within aviation security is continuously evolving to more stricter standards. With the implementation of standard 3 for primary screening, new changes occur: the swift towards HBS standard 3.1 / 3.2.
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Currently, there is no machine available on the market that can control rejected goods based on a different technological principle. The Echo X is an automated and autonomous alarm resolution concept that ensures optimised throughput of the HBS process as a whole. With its intelligent ‘Through Barrier Analysis’ capability, it fills the gap that appeared with an automated and non-invasive solution, meaning no manual labour is needed to resolve alarms that are generated by the primary screening device. DTS provides, with the Echo X, the next generation security screening for the years to come. When Echo X systems are deployed, it results in improved logistics with less agents needed, and within less square meters. With the Echo X, we will deliver the best business case in the aviation security industry. Based on the performance of the Echo X solutions, a high throughput, and a low false alarm rate, it is truly a best for business solution. Airports that are interested in the benefits and costs savings for their specific operations, a tailormade business case, based on actual data, can now be calculated without obligations. The expectation is that the Echo X will be on the market within two years. https://sg11.nl/products/echo-x/
Technology Explained SG11 has developed two patented technologies called Delta R and Echo X - a spectrographbased imaging tool and an X-ray based Trough Barrier Analysis method. Set out below is a deeper insight into this technology. The most important feature of Delta R is its UV light source. This light is emitted onto a surface and the reflection is then captured by a spectrograph that can determine the type of the material. While the target baggage is moving, two separate images are captured by the spectrograph, and then compared. Any slight difference in material might indicate a trace. The spectrograph is capable of analyzing the characteristics of the
material and, thus, is able to determine whether a trace is illicit. It can be seen that this is an effective tool for both illicit trace detection and alarm resolution. This image Illustrates how the technology works. ECHO X is an X-ray solution, developed within SG11’s subsidiary company, DTSolutions. Using accurate spectroscopy instead of diffraction, allows for point specific Through Barrier Analysis. As with the Delta R technology, the type of material can be determined with great accuracy making the technology suitable for resolving alarms or identifying matter. For further Information - info@sg11.nl
Let’s Work Together We would gladly get in contact with you. Stage Gate 11 offers business solutions and can address the challenges you may be faced with! Furthermore, we constantly update our developments via our LinkedIn channel. For further information visit our website, send us an email or call. www.sg11.nl info@sg11.nl +3188 250 1600
WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 7
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Notes:
8 | WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
SPECIAL REPORT: STAGE GATE 11 DEVELOPS SCREENING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Notes:
WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 9
Airport And Airline Professionals Find Solutions To Their Business Challenges With Airport Technology Reports
For the past decade, Airport Technology Reports has been helping airports, airlines, and their service providers to find new solutions to their technical, commercial, and operational challenges. Our Special Reports provide readers with an unparalleled depth of information on specialist subjects, which receive limited coverage in the mainstream airport and airline media. Each report is designed to facilitate more informed purchasing decisions, with a unique mix of: • Subject specific technical information • Insight and knowledge from internationally recognised key opinion leaders • Independent data and analysis • Unbiased editorial content
www.airporttechnologyreports.com subscriptions@globalbusinessmedia.org www.globalbusinessmedia.org