"Our new technology saves lives," says Pierre Strömbeck, managing director of Swedish company Portendo, which specialises in anti-terrorism technology.

Vinnova is allocating money to a consortium initiated by Portendo and FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency). Also involved are SAAB Systems, Karlstad University, Blekinge Institute of Technology and Lund University. The aim is to develop a sensor that warns armed forces and civilians at a safe distance from the terror threat.

Portendo's new technology is unique: no other detector on the market can trace explosives at long range. This means a totally new level of safety, for example in terms of terrorist attacks on civilian targets. The technology also has major benefits for peacekeeping forces in war zones, where various kinds of explosive threats are commonplace. The ability to identify hidden explosives while being at a safe distance is a major advantage for troops moving over unknown territory.

"It's time for society to be one step ahead of the terrorists, rather than the other way around," says Pierre Strömbeck "The research grant shows that we really are on the right track. We are striving to make society safer, and with financing through Vinnova we can take the next development step and significantly improve the detector's performance"

Vinnova is a Swedish government authority that works to increase growth and prosperity in Sweden. Vinnova helps and grants funds to innovations connected to research & development.