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At the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) annual conference, U.S. company Bounce Imaging showcased the Pit Viper 360, the world’s first 360° thermal tactical throwable camera. This innovative device aims to enhance situational awareness for better safety in tactical operations, setting a new standard for portable surveillance technology.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on bulky camera arrays or motorized PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) mechanisms, the Pit Viper 360 leverages six thermal imaging cores combined with an inertial measurement unit (IMU). This unique configuration allows for a compact, grapefruit-sized camera that produces stabilized panoramic thermal video. Using this camera, military personnel can gather critical intelligence from a safe distance, significantly reducing their exposure time in dangerous zones. The Pit Viper 360 is set for commercial release in early 2025.
Bounce Imaging’s Chief Technology Officer, Sietse Dijkstra, emphasized its efficiency: “Operating directly in the panoramic projection several orders of magnitude more efficiently than traditional methods allows us to generate stabilized thermal panoramic video with low latency and very low size, weight, and power requirements.”
Additionally, Bounce Imaging collaborated with Boston Dynamics’ SPOT, an unmanned ground quadruped (robot dog), to demonstrate the potential synergy between their technologies. The combination of SPOT’s navigation capabilities and Bounce Imaging’s panoramic situational awareness enhances safety for first responders and military personnel in complex environments. Recent joint training exercises showcased how this partnership can effectively clear hazardous areas while maintaining effective communication networks.
Mark Fargason, COO of Bounce Imaging, remarked on the importance of such collaborations: “It is becoming clear that the future of unmanned systems is teaming across platforms to use each technology’s strengths together to achieve a mission.” The integration of the Pit Viper 360 with SPOT exemplifies this trend, showcasing the potential for improved operational efficiency and safety in high-risk scenarios.
