US-Israel Foundation Invests $1.5M In Joint Homeland Security Tech Ventures

The Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation announced on Tuesday that it has awarded $1.5 million in funding to two homeland security projects between US and Israeli companies which aim to develop technologies for homeland security.

The projects were selected by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the Israel Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) and approved by the BIRD Foundation’s Board of Governors to advance technologies for homeland security.

DHS, MOPS, and S&T have partnered to fund technology collaborations between US and Israeli partners that address the homeland security needs of both countries and present significant commercial potential since 2016, the foundation said.

This joint research effort currently supports the development of technologies in the following areas: Advanced First Responder Technologies; Border Protection, including Maritime Security; Cyber Crime; Secure Critical Infrastructure and Public Facilities; Safe and Secure Cities; and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

The foundation said the two projects will have access to private sector funding in addition to grants, boosting their total value to approximately $3 million.

Projects submitted for consideration are reviewed by representatives of the US Department of Homeland Security, the Israel Innovation Authority and experts from the Israel Ministry of Public Security.

The joint projects are :

• The Haifa-based company Levitection will partner with Georgia security tech firm Liberty Defense Technologies to develop a detection solution based on electromagnetic imaging and artificial intelligence to detect threats and concealed items in wide-open areas.
• The Jerusalem-based firm Ception Technologies will team up with California-based mapping company Hivemapper will develop a fused air and ground 3D mapping system.

The BIRD Foundation was created in 1977 to foster collaboration between Israeli and American industries and currently promotes these collaborations in various technological fields for the purpose of joint product development.

“BIRD HLS enables us to enhance public safety in Israel and in the United States by supporting the development of innovative technologies to support law enforcement, prevent crime and violence, and by developing new rescue tools and methods for fire and emergency cases, all for the benefit
of both countries,” said Dr. Gad Frishman, chief scientist of the Israel Ministry of Public Security.

“This is the fifth year of the program that was initiated to develop new technologies for first responders and was expanded to respond to additional needs that will secure public safety. We look forward to continuing our work with the DHS and the Israel Ministry of Public Security,” said Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, executive director of the BIRD Foundation.