Stratech Systems - iFerret system

IT system ferrets out tiny objects, debris, on airport runways

Debris and other objects as small as 2cm can be detected on airport runways by an IT surveillance system as far as 300m away.

The iFerret system from Singapore-based Stratech Systems was tested at Changi Airport. In clear weather, 2cm objects could be detected. In rainy weather, objects as small as 4cm were detected.

The iFerret system also proved reliable under day and night conditions, making it useful for round-the-clock runway surveillance. In addition, it can accurately identify the objects despite aircraft movements, lighting, rain, or cloud shadows.

Air traffic and ground operations staff can look at the object identified on a screen display without having to go to the runway to check. This means they can take immediate action so that there is little disruption to the use of the runway.

Objects used in the 15-month trial included nuts, bolts, golf balls and paper cubes. The trial was organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Stratech and the Enterprise Challenge (TEC).

TEC is an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office. It provides funding for testing innovative ideas that can potentially improve the delivery of public services. It assists companies with new ideas to identify and provide suitable trial test-beds within the public service.

Eric Lee, head of TEC, says the success of iFerret confirms that “it pays to nurture and support innovative ideas, to give them a chance of success”.

Dr David K. M. Chew, executive chairman of Stratech, says incidents arising from the presence of such unwanted small objects on runways cost the aerospace industry an estimated US$4 billion in aircraft repairs, flight delays and airport maintenance every year. “We designed iFerret for airports to provide safer, more efficient and better service. The trial results give us tremendous leverage in marketing iFerret worldwide.”

Separately, based on the trial findings, the Center of Excellence in Airport Technology at the University of Illinois – a performing partner for the US Federal Aviation Administration’s R&D Center – has recommended that iFerret undergo a full evaluation at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Product description: An all-weather system, iFerret is said to be the world’s first intelligent vision-based system that detects, analyses and identifies unwanted objects in real-time. It can be scaled for airport runways and taxiways of any length, and can also be deployed on airport aprons and hangars and even on aircraft carriers.

In 2006, the system was awarded TEC funding for trial testing at Changi Airport. It won the Research and Development prize at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards in Macau in 2006.

Stratech Systems engaged in the design, development, implementation, maintenance and project management of IT systems in intelligent vision, transport and e-systems for government and business.

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