At 908 Devices, our commitment to ensuring public safety has led us to deploy innovative solutions across high-stakes events and critical scenarios. From large-scale gatherings like national political conventions to election mail screening, our advanced technologies – including the MX908, XplorIR, ProtectIR and ThreatID – empower real-time insights and enable our customers to have peace of mind as they safeguard communities.
Due to the nature of these events, we’re often unable to share our involvement at the time, however here’s a look back at notable moments from the past year and how our solutions helped customers detect, analyze, and mitigate threats in the field.
Keeping National Political Conventions Safe with Standoff Chemical Identification
As people from all over the U.S. descended on Milwaukee and Chicago for their party’s political conventions this summer, local, regional, and national law enforcement and hazmat teams were on the ground in these cities ensuring public safety with our trace and bulk chemical identification devices.
During the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, a new kind of guardian joined the ranks: Spot, a robotic dog enhanced with the InterceptIR, a modified version of our XplorIR solution. Deployed to assist Milwaukee’s HAZMAT team, Spot brought a futuristic touch to public safety. With advanced AI integration, Spot leveraged InterceptIR’s constant threat assessment to deliver continuous monitoring of gases and vapors, allowing for remote identification and enhanced on-site safety. This innovative technology makes Spot a standout tool in the security landscape, providing first responders with heightened situational awareness and solidifying its role as a powerful asset for security operations. As Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski highlighted, “Spot offered an additional layer of protection for first responders, allowing them to assess dangerous situations without putting their own lives at risk.”
Election Mail Screening for Fentanyl
Last year, a troubling development emerged when fentanyl-laced letters were sent to election officials. While fentanyl in the mail isn’t new, its use as a method to disrupt election processes was concerning, particularly because fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine.
Over a dozen letters were intercepted across six states, with 908 Devices providing support in related investigations. Using the MX908, swabs were taken from the outside of envelopes and assessed for trace amounts of substances, without having to open the mail and increase risk of airborne exposure. 908 Devices continued its mail screening operations throughout the 2024 election cycle, including utilizing the ThreatID portable FTIR analyzer in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Dangerous Mail investigations program, as well as in coordination with DualDraw through its integration of MX908’s aerosol and vapor detection capabilities in its mail and package screening workstation.
Securing the Indy 500 with Gas-Sniffing Robots
The Indianapolis 500 isn’t just a spectacle of speed; it’s also a logistical and safety challenge with more than 300,000 attendees. In collaboration with Asylon Robotics, 908 Devices deployed InterceptIR-equipped robots to patrol areas around the speedway, particularly in GPS-denied zones like underground tunnels. By providing real-time chemical gas data, these robots allowed event organizers to monitor potential hazards and react swiftly, keeping everyone safe in a high-density environment.
Vigilance at Large Festive Events
Runners crossing major road race finish lines or revelers participating in Independence Day festivities in large metropolitan areas may not have noticed the MX908 Beacon discreetly in action. But for first responders, the ability to monitor for chemical threats in real time was crucial. From aerosols to vapors, our technology, MX908 Beacon, the only area monitoring solution that provides identification of aerosol and vapor chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and pharmaceutical based agents (PBAs), ensured that these public events remained safe for both participants and spectators.
Staying Ahead of Future Threats
The threats facing public safety are evolving, and we’re staying ahead of them. Whether it’s detecting the latest drug, like pink cocaine, or deploying automated tech at large-scale public events, 908 Devices is committed to equipping first responders with the mission-critical information they need to do their job well. Our technology offers real-time, actionable insights that empower individuals to respond quickly and efficiently. We look forward to continuing our work with public safety teams across the country, helping them navigate increasingly complex security landscapes.