Smart Imaging Systems Announces the First Portable Vehicle Scanning Technology with $3.5 Million Initial Order from Customs and Border Protection

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a $3.5 million purchase order for new compact, portable X-ray technology developed by Smart Imaging Systems, to safely scan for contraband and explosives in vehicles.

Designed by engineers with years of experience designing for NASA’s  miniaturized systems for the MARS Rover and various other space missions, the CXR is the first scanner system that fits in a car trunk and can be deployed in just minutes at border crossings, government checkpoints, as well as building garages, large event parking facilities and high security events. It uses safe levels of X-rays to detect drugs, weapons, other contraband as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“This initial order is validation that our system is faster, more efficient and less expensive than what is being used today to restrict contraband flow at our borders,” said Satpal Singh, president and chief executive officer of Smart Imaging Systems. “It is exciting to see that technology developed for space applications can be used in the United States to protect our citizens.”

The high-throughput (5-10 seconds per car scan) unit can be easily concealed behind overhead signs or roadside planters and can perform fast scans from above or from the side of vehicles. The high resolution, low energy x-ray scanner requires only two 12-volt motorcycle batteries instead of a large generator or a heavy duty, high wattage power source.

Land border crossings serve a critical role in enabling CBP’s enforcement of immigration and customs laws and according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the nation’s land border crossings remain a target for exploitation by transnational criminal organizations. Because this system is portable, fast and easy to assemble at remote and random checkpoints, it gives CPB a powerful tool to catch these criminal drug smugglers, traffickers and other transporters of contraband. These hand portable car scanners will allow CBP officers to conduct pulse and surge operations at the nation’s land and sea ports of entry.

“Diligent transportation security typically slows the movement of vehicles, people or cargo,” said Peter Harris, an industry security advisor. “The CXR Smart Imaging Systems technology enables security personnel to scan where the threats are without creating security bottlenecks in vehicle inspection and we look forward to broad adoption in a number of vertical markets.”

The undisclosed number of units will be delivered and deployed beginning in 2021.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.