Darim Vision-FLIR Systems Imaging Solution Brings Portable Wireless Video Surveillance and Thermal Imaging to Visibility-Constrained Environments

PLEASANTON, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Low-visibility scenarios like smoke-filled buildings, winter storms, or the dark of night will no longer present obstacles for surveillance or monitoring, thanks to a unique new technology solution that combines Darim Vision's PVE400 wireless video encoder with FLIR Systems' miniature, rugged PathFindIR thermal camera.

Already proven in a variety of visibility-constrained situations, Darim's PVE400 is a rugged, wearable, wireless video encoder/streamer that holds its own in virtually any environment. Its water-resistant and rugged aluminum enclosure is equipped with auto-lock/quick-release connectors and a field-replaceable lithium-ion battery specifically designed to meet the needs of harsh environments and critical/emergency response teams.

FLIR's PathFindIR is a low-cost uncooled thermal imaging camera that lets users see clearly in total darkness, and through smoke, dust, and light fog. Designed to help drivers see better in automotive, mining, and maritime applications, as well as in emergency response vehicles and UGVs, PathFindIR is a complete camera system with a hermetically sealed, IP67-rated, enclosure, heated optic, 12VDC power input, and small form factor.

"We designed the PVE400 to provide portable black-box-type archiving along with wireless/IP transmission of MPEG4 video, G.711 audio, and GPS tracking capabilities with continuous operation time up to five hours. Now, combined with FLIR's compact and rugged PathFinderIR thermal camera, we're able to provide unique viewing and tracking capabilities in critically adverse situations," comments Darim Vision Director of Marketing Aaron Taylor. "Imagine how powerful a command and control center's situational awareness could be with the ability to view multiple PVE400s from a single PC in real-time!"

In addition to firefighting, SWAT, military and other maneuverable surveillance applications, the PVE400 and FLIR's thermal imaging camera are a perfect combination for mobile video black-box-type archiving and monitoring. While real-time viewing is always possible in the presence of a network, a well-documented video and GPS archive in a rugged and secure black box can prove invaluable in mobile applications, for automotive and fleet operators, for example. Full integration with Google Earth, real-time tracking, and video monitoring further enhance the usability of the PVE400.

FLIR Systems Announces Introduction of Second Generation GF-Series Infrared Cameras

Systems Image Greenhouse Gases, Reduce Product Loss Costs, and Improve Worker Safety

PORTLAND, OR, Jun 22, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) today announced the launch of its second generation line of GF-Series infrared cameras, previously known as GasFindIR(TM). The line includes two innovative IR cameras designed to reduce product and revenue loss associated with industrial gas leaks, and improve worker safety in areas where leaking gas can cause fire and explosion. The new GF320 detects all types of greenhouse gas emissions, and the new GF309 "sees clearly through flames," making it ideal for high temperature, industrial furnace inspections.

The GF320 is specifically engineered to image volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including methane, sulfur hexafluoride, carbon monoxide and many other gases. The GF320's high resolution thermal and visible output allows operators to rapidly scan large, hard-to-reach, or dangerous areas from a safe distance. Its new and improved "High Sensitivity Mode" (HSM) and noise reduction filter provide a powerful new tool for workers to detect and trace even small quantities of gas leaks to their source, a difficult task using the current "sniffer" technology.

The GF309 is engineered for high temperature furnace applications. The GF309's "flame filter" helps workers detect a wide range of common and recurring problems with industrial furnaces, including the presence of coking, scaling or ash build-up.

Both cameras feature the ability to capture high resolution thermal and visible images and thermal video for in-the-field playback, later analysis and documentation. Embedded GPS provides the exact coordinates to track facility non-compliance with environmental regulations, or to mimic the set-up of portable monitors stationed around the plant. Additional features include embedded temperature measurement data, a flip-out full-color LCD, and a high resolution tiltable viewfinder.

"We are delighted to be introducing our second generation infrared cameras for gas detection and flame filtering," commented Earl Lewis, President and CEO of FLIR Systems, Inc. "These new cameras offer important benefits for saving energy, reducing greenhouse gasses and improving worker safety."

To see an extensive assortment of gas leak videos across numerous industries along with dozens of technical papers and product downloads, go to www.goinfrared.com/see.

No. 1 in NW100 | Flir Systems is first three-time winner with thriving infrared-camera business

Wilsonville, Ore.-based Flir Systems, maker of infrared cameras, tops this year's Northwest 100 as the first three-time winner.

By Drew DeSilver
Seattle Times business reporter

This image was made using a Flir Systems thermal camera. The different shades represent different temperature. The image was made by Marcus Chavez of Flir Systems.

Founded: 1978

Headquarters: Wilsonville, Ore.

Major operations: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon; Estonia, France, Sweden, United Kingdom

CEO: Earl Lewis

Employees: 1,943

Major products/services: Military-targeting systems, security cameras, rifle scopes, equipment monitors, home-inspection devices, night-vision systems for cars.

Special sauce: If there's a potential use for infrared imaging, Flir plans to exploit it sooner or later. Out on the horizon: medical scanners for use in everything from breast cancer to dermatology.

It can be hard to see your way to profitability during a deep recession. But Wilsonville, Ore.-based Flir Systems, which tops this year's Northwest 100 as the first three-time winner, has a not-so-secret weapon for visualizing opportunities: infrared cameras.

Flir, which led the Northwest 100 in 2002 and 2003, finds profit in the part of the electromagnetic spectrum beyond visible light. Infrared cameras and other imaging systems can detect minute temperature differences and turn them into pictures, without relying on an external light source; that makes them useful for everything from targeting Taliban fighters in Afghanistan to detecting gas leaks.

Historically, infrared equipment was quite expensive, and the U.S. military was Flir's major customer. But the company has spent the past several years developing more and more applications for its core technology at lower and lower price points.

"We really believe that if we can just keep driving the price down, down, down, the number of opportunities will go up," said Earl Lewis, Flir's chief executive.

One such opportunity: the auto market. BMW offers a night-vision camera that uses Flir technology as an option. With the dashboard-mounted screen, drivers can "see" three times farther ahead than with conventional headlights; the latest version flashes a warning when it recognizes a pedestrian.

"Eventually, every car will have some kind of infrared detector," Lewis said, comparing it to now-ubiquitous GPS devices.

Not that Lewis expects to make pots of money from the car market. "There's not a lot of margin in supplying the automotive industry -- never was," he said. "But if we can be making 30,000 detectors for the car market, we can make a lot more to use in these other applications, and drive the cost down."

That continuous broadening of the market for infrared technology has helped Flir more than double its annual sales since 2004, to $1.08 billion last year; net profit over that time has nearly tripled, to $203.7 million.

The company's strong performance has continued into the first quarter of 2009.

The recession has cut into demand for its thermographic equipment-monitoring products, but quarterly revenue was up 14.8 percent year-over-year, and profit rose 48.6 percent.

Despite the broadening of Flir's product base, the company still relies on government for more than half its sales, about the same proportion as in 2004; that makes it vulnerable to shifts in budget policy (though Flir expects some benefit from the stimulus package). It faces competition in most of its target markets, including from Everett-based Fluke.

And though Lewis concedes the company risks spreading itself too thin, he said the upside of bringing infrared to the masses is too great to pass up.

"If we can aggregate the (research and development) costs over a big base of different applications, we can push the costs down and in any of these markets we can be the low-cost supplier," he said. "And it will be very difficult for anyone to attack Flir."