Orange's Trang Imagineering researching way to help save soldiers’ lives

Founder Dave Finlay said the research would focus on a three dimensional (3D) scanner which can be used to detect threats such as improvised explosive devices.

The technology is already used in mining to detect potential landslides – the scanner continually takes photos and overlays them over each other to find differences.

“A lot of mining contractors use a 3D scanner to detect a landslide,” Mr Finlay said.

“A landslide doesn’t happen instantaneously, it happens over weeks.”

Mr Finlay said the research project was only the start and would benchmark existing technology and whether it could be deployed by the defence forces.

It would mean even if the soldiers used the same road 100 times, the scanners could detect hidden threats.

Mr Finlay said the research could lead to a product or may be put on hold until technology allows it to be deployed by defence.

Trang Imagineering was formed in 2003 and it’s their first contract with the Australian Defence Force.

Mr Finlay said nine ideas were submitted to defence before one was selected for further research.

The contract was funded by the federal government’s $1.6 billion defence innovation hub.

“It’s great to see innovative companies in Calare, such as Trang Imagineering, competing for and winning contracts,” Member for Calare Andrew Gee said in a statement.