Smart Guns

gouda

Public release date: 16-Dec-2004
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Contact: Sheryl Weinstein
sheryl.m.weinstein@njit.edu
973-596-3436
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Shots fired at Bayonne range prove smart gun technology works
Sixty people crowded last week into a small room at the Bayonne police firing range to witness smart gun technology. Donald H. Sebastian, senior vice president of research and development at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), stood near an oversized screen displaying a real-time video of an NJIT policeman shooting an experimental handgun in an adjacent indoor range. Although there was no applause as shots rang out, the action demonstrated that smart gun knew friend from foe.
Sixteen electronic computerized sensors embedded in the gun's grip distinguished known from unknown users. "We've only just begun and we're pleased to say that we're getting 90 percent reliability when scanning users," said Sebastian.

Since 1999, Sebastian has led the project based upon Dynamic Grip Recognition, a technology invented by Michael Recce, PhD, associate professor of information systems at NJIT. Since June of 2004, five members of the NJIT police force have been trained to use the test gun and be recognized. Ultimately computerized sensors in each gun will record data on dozens of known users while also blocking unauthorized users.

The project has the enthusiastic backing of Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Jon S. Corzine. In addition to proudly witnessing the technology, the pair announced last week that, once again, they had secured $1 million in federal funding for the project. Last year, they secured a similar amount. The funding was included in this year's U.S. Department of Justice budget. Reps. Robert Menendez and William Pascrell, who have also supported the research and sought federal appropriations, also spoke, as did NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch and Bayonne Mayor and State Senator Joseph Doria, an early New Jersey legislative supporter.

Under New Jersey law, passed in Dec. 2002, only smart guns can be purchased in the state three years after personalized handguns become commercially available. Lautenberg said New Jersey's legislative effort to introduce smart gun technology should be a national model for the country. Once Congress returns to session next year, Lautenberg and Pascrell plan to introduce legislation modeled after New Jersey's law, so families across the country will be able to ensure that guns they own will not fall into the wrong hands.

The demonstration included a description of how the technology works. "Everyone has body features that are unique signatures," said Sebastian. "Fingerprints and retinas number among the best known markers. Identifying a person by such attributes is called the science of biometrics."

Another form of biometric--the dynamic biometric--depends on both physical markers and behavior. "This is about who you are and how you do something." said Sebastian. This biometric is the foundation of Dynamic Grip Recognition. The technology measures not only the size, strength and structure of a person's hand, but also the reflexive way in which the person acts. For smart gun, the observed actions are how the person squeezes something to produce a unique and measurable pattern. Embedded sensors in the experimental gun then can read and record the size and force of the users' hand during the first second when the trigger is squeezed.

"This technology is similar to how electronic machines read an individual's signature upon completing a credit card transaction," said Sebastian.

The next step is for NJIT researchers to turn over their invention to the Australian-based research and development company Metal Storm Ltd.. Currently January of 2006 is the target date. Metal Storm will then incorporate the NJIT technology into their patented electronic handgun, as NJIT researchers continue testing.

"NJIT is doing pioneering research to make a firearm that can save thousands of innocent lives," said Lautenberg during the demonstration. "On any given day people across the country can turn on their TV news or read in their local paper the sad story of a child taking another child's life because they got their hands on a loaded gun. However, we know now that these deaths can be prevented – or at least reduced – through technology that will render a gun inoperable in the hands of the wrong user."

Corzine called the NJIT's dynamic-grip technology cutting edge and said that it represented a really positive step forward in public safety. "NJIT is involved in important life-saving research," he added. "There is no question that manufacturing handguns with advanced technology to limit operation can save lives. No child could pick up a gun and pull the trigger. The gun just won't work, and that's how it should be."

Menendez said that by making handguns operable only by authorized users, many gun deaths can be avoided. Pascrell said he looked forward to introducing legislation in the 108th Congress similar to the legislation in New Jersey.

Since 1999, NJIT has spearheaded efforts to develop a personalized handgun that can instantly and reliably recognize one or more pre-programmed authorized users. To date, the New Jersey legislature has awarded NJIT $1.5 million for the project.

In 2003, Recce received a patent for Dynamic Grip Recognition. The invention enabled NJIT electrical engineering professor Timothy Chang, assisted by a team of engineers, to embed multiple small electronic sensors in the grip. The sensors identify the user. The finished gun will eventually feature both electronic features and computerized parts. Recce sees his invention someday also being used in other applications--perhaps the yoke of a plane or a car's steering wheel.

Also in 2003, NJIT signed an agreement with Metal Storm, which owns a patent for its Electronic Firing System that can be used in a handgun. Metal Storm's O'DwyerTM VLe® system is a unique, patented approach to firing projectiles. Entirely electronic, the system utilizes preloaded barrels holding multiple projectiles that are fired by electronic ignition. For the first time, interchangeable and multiple barrels can be made available to fire a range of projectiles of varying calibers from the same handgun.


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Irishglockfan

Hmmm that "smart gun" technology has had NO acceptance by any of the police officer organisations,or by street cops.Only people who jump on it are top brass and anti gunners.Well NJ is anyway another anti gun left coast state.All very well popping at targets but when the real thing happens a hesitation in the smart technology may cost a person their life.Thanks but no thanks!!!

Zakalwe

A gun is a mechanical device. I can see how this would prevent a police officer's sidearm from being used against him, but if stolen I can't think how you wouldn't be able to hotwire one.

Sparks

Zakalwe wrote:

A gun is a mechanical device. I can see how this would prevent a police officer's sidearm from being used against him, but if stolen I can't think how you wouldn't be able to hotwire one.

Well the gun they're thinking of using is that Metal Storm design where they have several bullets and propellant charges stacked up in the barrel and they fire off the propellant electrically. No mechanical system involved. So if you did steal one and knew enough electronics, it should be possible to bypass the biometrics and fire the gun, but it would take some work and a degree of skill, and of course you could endeavour to build the gun to resist tampering strongly.

I can't see it taking off though - firstly, grip pressure isn't a proven form of biometrics like iris scanning, and if they're only up to 90% for correct results, they've a fair way to go yet; secondly electronic guns have a bad history outside of the ISSF pistol disciplines, especially where the guns are intended for use in a military or police capacity (the batteries running out in the OICW was a major problem, I understand); and thirdly the police, who have to use this new technology in situations where someone's shooting at them, are going to resist strongly being required to use unproven technology that they don't fully trust.

jaycee

grip pressure isn't a proven form of biometrics

Especially as it is easy to visualise a situation where in an
emergency situation one's normal shooting hand is injured or
the Gun is required to be fired using the other hand,
Or fired by the owner while wearing gloves ,


A "chip" which would identify a friendly person to be worn by ones allies
would be easier ...but given the possibility of malfunctions and cloned chips
worn by goblins (As Mr Cooper would call them)..
I wouldn't trust it..

A bit too much "RoboCop" i fear :eek:

Irishglockfan

The other idea was to include a ring on your finger that would activate the gun,like some modern car alarms.What happens if the perp grabs your hand and lops off your ring finger????All too futuristic for me.
Maybe when as to quote the Terminator,"the pulsed plasma rifle in the fifty watt range"are available in your gunshop.
can see the metal storm replacing somthing like a vulcan 20mm gattling gun for ship defence.But as a personal sidearm?I reckon after the first multi fifty rounds have left their barrells,ALL your remaining shots will be going straight up!!

les45

Whatever about using"smart " systems to restrict access to firearms by anyone other than authorised users ,I would need a greater than 90% chance of success before I would use it in competition never mind in defence of your life. I would love to hear Col Coopers comments on this piece of kit

Irishglockfan

Les
I belive he did comment on them.None too kindly and favourbly either.