Seven heartbeat detectors are now in operation in Austria. They can be used to quickly check whether people are on the loading area of lorries. Until now, the vehicles had to be cleared out at great expense in case of suspicion. Six of the devices are used for border point and border area surveillance in the Alpine Republic. Another one is intended for use abroad, e.g. at the external borders of the European Union (EU). The sensors of the devices are mounted on the outside of lorries and detect vibrations that are transmitted from living beings to vehicles. Additional reference probes, increase the detection accuracy by detecting vibrations caused by ground vibrations or wind.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: “Heartbeat detectors will play an important role in border controls. The devices are state of the art.” He added that this would enable the police to fight criminal smugglers even more efficiently. And Federal Police Director Michael Takacs explained: “The advantages are obvious: transit traffic is minimized by the short checks, and at the same time illegal entrants can be freed from a potentially life-threatening situation.” Interior Minister Karner also announced the purchase of 50 more drones in the coming year and the acquisition of additional technology.
