Israel Airport Authority Selects Startups for Ben Airport Pilot Program
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Corsight AI's facial recognition technology, previously used by the IDF, will be tested for locating individuals. Airvrix will pilot its aviation investigation system, and Salvador Technologies will implement its cyberattack recovery solution. The program aims to foster innovation by providing startups with real-world testing environments.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Corsight AI's facial recognition technology, used by the IDF after Oct 7, will be tested at TLV.
- Airvrix will pilot a system for real-time aviation incident investigation and reporting.
- Salvador Technologies will implement its cyberattack recovery solution for critical airport infrastructure.
- The program offers startups a unique opportunity for real-world testing at an active airport.
- The IAA is providing financial support and infrastructure for the selected companies.
The program, which saw 42 startups compete, aims to develop and implement new technologies within the airport. Given the current climate, many of the proposals focused on security and safety, incorporating AI solutions to streamline processes and enhance airport oversight.
In the security domain, Corsight AI was chosen for its facial recognition technology, which can scan and identify individuals across the airport. The article notes that the IDF utilized this technology after October 7th to locate hostages and apprehend wanted individuals in Gaza. The primary goal of this system is not necessarily to identify individuals by name, but to locate them within crowds, assisting with operational needs such as finding lost children or luggage, identifying suspicious objects, or tracking individuals who have committed offenses.
Airvrix secured a spot for its safety technology, which integrates real-time protocols and reports for aviation incident investigations. By combining defined procedures with live data such as aircraft altitude, angles, and pilot or controller performance, the system can identify discrepancies and facilitate regular investigations to prevent future malfunctions.
Salvador Technologies won in the cybersecurity category with its solutions for organizations to recover from cyberattacks. Their system provides complete, disconnected backups of essential infrastructure, enabling rapid replication and full operational recovery for systems that cannot afford downtime, such as an airport. The IAA highlighted the threat of cyberattacks on airports worldwide, referencing incidents in the UK and noting the potential for such an attack to cripple all air travel in Israel due to its reliance on a single major airport.
Rafi Peled, Head of Innovation at the IAA, stated that the solutions were evaluated based on product maturity, value, implementation complexity, and innovation. The IAA is providing up to NIS 50,000 in expense reimbursement and covering relevant infrastructure costs for the pilot. Peled emphasized that this offers companies a unique opportunity for real-world testing at an active airport. While acknowledging potential impacts on passenger experience during development, he assured that most operations would occur "behind the scenes" and that testing phases would be carefully timed. The IAA is also considering making the program biennial and focusing future efforts on automation for passenger entry and exit processes.