Press Release Library
Ahura Scientific and QinetiQ North America Announce Development Partnership
Companies to Integrate Raman Spectrometer for Chemical Identification with TALON Military Robot to Expand Capabilities and Reach of First Responders
WILMINGTON, Mass. – September 28, 2009 -- Ahura Scientific, Inc., the leader in field-deployed analytical instruments for human health and public safety, today announced that it has formed a development partnership with the Technology Solutions Group of QinetiQ North America, a provider of world class technology and responsive solutions for national defense. Under the terms of the agreement the two companies will integrate a compact, laboratory-grade Raman spectrometer from Ahura Scientific with QinetiQ North America’s TALON® robots to empower first responders to more safely execute their missions.
Ahura Scientific helps first responders, including police, fire and military around the globe, more effectively perform their duties through the use of handheld instruments for chemical identification. Since 2005 the company has sold approximately 3,000 FirstDefender (Raman) and TruDefender FT (FTIR) instruments which allow customers to quickly and accurately identify unknown substances, including explosives, chemical weapons, hazardous materials and narcotics.
QinetiQ North America’s TALON robots are a family of powerful, durable, lightweight tracked vehicles that are widely used for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, communications, hazardous materials, security, defense and rescue. Today, more than 2,800 TALON robots are deployed around the world, surpassing any other military robot. Ahura Scientific’s Raman spectrometer will be one of many sensors that can be integrated with TALON robots, including tools for radiation detection and air monitoring.
“Ahura Scientific’s products were developed to help first responders swiftly and safely address chemical threats, whether a white powder call, industrial spill or potential explosive,” said Doug Kahn, chairman and CEO of Ahura Scientific. “We are proud to work with the QinetiQ North America team to extend the capabilities of our products to better meet the needs of the military and first responder communities. Together we can provide these men and women the ability to execute their response missions with a greater level of safety.”
Through this partnership, the companies will integrate a Raman spectrometer from Ahura Scientific designed to mount on a robot’s gripper arm with QinetiQ North America’s GEN IV TALON Robots, specifically the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) modules. The integration enables wireless remote operation of both the robot and the chemical identification system through the main command console. The joint offering will enable first responders to remotely identify potentially volatile solids and liquids, including explosives, TICs and TIMs in the field, delivering an additional layer of safety that keeps individuals out of harm’s way.
“The QinetiQ North America team is committed to creating innovative solutions that serve the needs of first responders,” said Dr. William Ribich, President of the QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group that develops and manufactures TALON Robots. “The Ahura Scientific partnership adds a critical component to our TALON GEN IV robots, one that will allow responders to identify potentially hazardous materials remotely and respond as needed.”
About QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America delivers world-class technology and responsive solutions to government agencies and commercial customers for many of their most urgent and complex challenges. QinetiQ North America is an independent, innovative technology provider that earns over one billion dollars in revenue operating with small company speed and agility while leveraging significant global resources. More than 6,400 QinetiQ North America engineers, scientists and other professionals have the mission knowledge and proven, reliable performance to meet the rapidly changing demands of national defense, homeland security and information assurance customers. For more information, please visit www.QinetiQ-NA.com.
About Ahura Scientific, Inc.
Ahura Scientific is dedicated to bringing lab-accurate analysis directly to the point of need. The company's field-deployed analytical instruments consistently deliver precise and actionable intelligence to human health and public safety specialists. Founded in 2002, Ahura Scientific is headquartered in Wilmington, MA. For more information, visit www.ahurascientific.com.
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Media Contact:
Kerstin Barr, Ahura Scientific, Inc.
978-642-2547 phone
kbarr@ahurascientific.com