[Image via First Responder Technologies Inc.]
The men and women who maintain public safety around the world head into dangerous situations unaware of the full extent of the threats they face, but with cutting-edge new technology, they can be better forewarned.
First Responder Technologies Inc. (CSE: WPN, Forum) (the “First Responder” or the “Company”) is developing technology that can detect concealed weapons using commercial WiFi to help prevent mass shootings and terrorist attacks.
Deadly shootings have become all too common in news headlines. According to a gun violence research group, there have been more shootings in the United States in 2019 than there were days in the year. The average is approaching more than one mass shooting a day.
Since incorporation in 2017, substantial capital has been allocated towards developing public safety technologies. Earlier this year, First Responder completed a license from Rutgers University to develop its WiFi line of detection products. To date, in excess of $500,000 has been invested into developing this proprietary WiFi technology.
This technology could be a game-changer for public safety. The cost of using commercial WiFi may be much lower compared to the X-Ray-based security systems currently used in airports, sports stadiums and some museums. It could be widely deployed, since WiFi is already widely used around the world, and public safety would be significantly improved by using this lower-cost approach.
How it works:
[Image via First Responder Technologies Inc.]
WiFi antennas can be used to send and receive a signal through a bag,and provide useful information as the signal is reflected or absorbed by the materials carried in the bag. Using a machine learning (AI) algorithm, the signal can then be analyzed and if the materials are determined by the algorithm to be potentially threatening, a signal can be sent to a person in authority, or a local first responder, to check the bag.
WiFi-based detection possesses multiple competitive advantages to competing technologies:
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Lower Frequency = May Equal Better Penetration through Clothes & Bags
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WiFi Utilizes Unlicensed Spectrum = Competitive Technologies May Require Government Approval to Operate in Selected Spectrum
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WiFi Broadly Deployed in Society = Greater Acceptance by the General Public
Utilizing a ‘Lean Startup’ strategy the Company anticipates meeting the following milestones over the next two years from the date of the IPO:
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0-6 months: Complete Prototype
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7-12 months: Develop a Version Alpha Minimum Viable Product
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13-18 months: Develop a Version Beta Small Scale Deployment Product
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19-24 months: Develop & Release a Version 1.0 complete product
CSE Approval:
In November 2019; the Company qualified to move ahead with its Initial Public Offering and the distribution of a minimum of 10 million units of the Company and a maximum of 20 million Units, at a price of $0.35 per Unit. First Responder also received conditional approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange to list its Common Shares.
A copy of the prospectus is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and can also be downloaded here.
Looking toward the future:
As its prospectus was being approved, senior members of the Company’s leadership were overseas to attend Milipol, a homeland security and public safety trade show and conference, in Paris, France. In a news release, the Company stated it saw significant commercial interest in its WiFi-based weapons detection technology from the global audience in attendance at its booth on the convention floor.
The First Responder team attended the International Security Exposition, a homeland security and public safety trade show and conference in London, UK from December 3-4, 2019. The Company demonstrated a proof-of-concept WiFi-based detection technology solution to more than 15,000 registered exhibitors, speakers and attendees.
For the next 24 months the focus of the entire company is to build a bollard-based perimeter detection solution which allows for “walk through” detection on the edge of the property (and of course at doorways and internal concourses). This provides an “early warning” to first responders and on-site security via an app, that allows detection of a shooter before they enter the premises and is known as the “magic 10-15” seconds.
In police-military doctrine it’s called extending the “warning area” between the sentry and the shooter (use of force triangle looks for capability, opportunity and intent before force is authorized – First Responder’s system provides an early warning of capability). The goal is to provide critical information to persons who are legally permitted to respond, before shooting begins.
[Image via First Responder Technologies Inc.]
Hon. Stockwell Day PC, served as Canada’s Minister of Public Safety from 2006 to 2008, and saw first-hand, the work of first responders and the dangerous, real-life situations they face. According to Hon. Day, commenting on the prospect of the Company’s development of a WiFi-based weapons detection technology, “…that type of device being made available to first responders can make the difference between life and death for them and for the innocent people around them.” Hon. Day is the Head of the Company’s Advisory Council.
First Responder began trading on the CSE under the symbol WPN in mid-January 2020.
firstrespondertech.com
FULL DISCLOSURE: This is a paid article produced by Stockhouse Publishing.