The Origins of Perception-SI

Perception Sensors and Instrumentation Ltd. (Perception-SI) was established by our Technical Director, a Chartered Engineer and former Senior Management Team member at Land Combustion. Drawing on extensive leadership experience across Research and Development, Production, and Service, he founded the company to pioneer novel technological solutions across diverse sectors while assembling and mentoring a skilled engineering team.

Early Operational Focus: Combustion Sector:
• LAND Genesis Oxygen Analyser (LAND Combustion): A flagship continuous monitoring system that remains in active production today.
• Dual-Beam Laser Backscatter Dust Monitor: Deployed in pulverised fuel power stations globally to deliver precise measurements of particle velocity, dust load, and size distribution.
• Gaseous Flow Monitoring Instrumentation: Engineered the PSI-2 flow monitor for Energy Tech Industries A/S (West Burton Power Station), and the PSI-3 for A-B-T Netherlands in 2005. Complemented by our custom PSI-1 averaging and S-type Pitot tube line.
• Forklift Engine Management System (ECS): Developed tailored control hardware for industrial vehicle management.

Academic Partnerships and Early Computation:

• Imperial College London: Investigated pulverised fuel burner optimisation utilising neural network architectures.
• University of York: Developed micro-colourimetric measurement techniques for dye-absorbing filter materials within the tanning industry.
• Sheffield Hallam University: Pioneered novel near-infrared (NIR) structured light methods for three-dimensional facial recognition.
• Pan-European Consortium: Collaborated on advanced 3D anatomical modelling of internal organs, including the liver.

High-Reliability NIR Biometric Flash Hardware

In collaboration with Aurora Computer Services and PerkinElmer, Perception-SI engineered the first commercially viable, high-reliability near-infrared (NIR) imaging system for facial recognition. The system utilised low-pressure Xenon discharge to deliver high-intensity pulsed NIR illumination.

This landmark hardware successfully processed millions of passengers at UK major airports. The core technology was integrated into specialised construction biometric terminals (like the BT320), securing locations like Hinkley Point and Dubai. At its peak, this methodology was estimated to process 60 million facial recognition captures daily.

Expanding Expertise into Heavy Industry

Power Generation and Gas Flow

• Partnered with Burmeister and Wain (BWE), Denmark to apply infrared absorption cross-correlation for gas flow during tyre pyrolysis (>1000°C) non-invasively.
• Deployed non-contact measurement methodology with Koppers Denmark ApS for high-vacuum conditions.
• Introduced the PSI-2 Back Purge Flow Monitor with HN Miljøudvikling ApS Denmark.

Asset Tracking and Specialised Displays

• Engineered a Pay-Per-Mile vehicle tracking system for CUSTOS Limited.
• Engineered disposable touchscreen solutions tailored for harsh abattoir applications to resolve persistent equipment damage.

Industry Collaboration and Safety Innovations

Through a joint straw fire protection project with HN Miljøudvikling ApS, we developed the WCF Probe—a wood chip flow monitor deployed at Ely Straw Burning Power Station to detect early thermal flammability risks during straw combustion.

Ongoing Innovation

• Instrumentation: Engineered a specialised vibration monitor for computer data centres for a major industrial-scale UPS provider.
• Biometrics: Designed and developed the PSI Hand-held Biometric Facial Recognition Imaging unit, currently utilised across UK airports.

The Machine Vision Breakthrough

A significant landmark driven by a strategic emphasis on advancing machine vision technology. Capitalising on technological advancements, we engineered an LED-based technique designed to replace the Xenon NIR-rich imaging system developed in 2006, unlocking new potential.

Manufacturing Sector

• Partnered with HN Miljøudvikling ApS and Emergent Design Limited to address a critical challenge for a major global manufacturer, producing the Over-Conveyor Analysis System (OCAS), now actively deployed worldwide.
• Launched standalone hardware solutions based on OCAS technology: High-power 300W NIR and 480W Visible pulsed Illumination Units, and eye-safe NIR Precision Line Generators.

Biometrics Sector

• Engineered the ASLOC biometric product lineup, incorporating integrated display screens and LED NIR pulsed illumination for facial recognition.

High-Security Biometric Access Control

Engineered PSILOC, an encrypted, distributed facial recognition framework designed specifically for high-security, multi-site access control operations.

Next-Generation Solutions

• Biometrics: Engineered the PSI CUBE, a compact NIR biometric camera system originally for passenger flow tracking, which evolved into our next-generation machine vision camera platform foundation.
• Instrumentation: Designed a specialised industrial monitoring system to measure acid dewpoint specifically for Breen Energy USA.

Rollout of Machine Vision Systems

• Engineered a multi-mode imaging solution for high-precision offshore oil platform deployment under severe weather.
• Initiated a major European rollout of production-ready OCAS units (exceeding 1 tonne each), establishing complex supply chain and installation networks.

Medical Biometrics Innovations

Designed and delivered the PSI-D (now known as ASLOC-E) —a high-reliability patient identification facial recognition system for Vision RT Limited, achieving full certification to UK, EU, North American, Australian, and New Zealand standards.

European Expansion of OCAS

Successfully expanded our OCAS machine vision hardware footprint across Europe, establishing active deployments in Germany, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, and Norway.

Continuous Enhancement

Introduced the BT520 biometric access terminal, a modernised redesign of the legacy BT320 model, maintaining its robust active service history.

Product Development and Innovative Solutions

• Power Generation: Collaborated with PSI Group DK to design a real-time furnace camera system for monitoring burner trim and slag buildup.
• Biometric Imaging: Launched the BT420 (now known as ASLOC-T) biometric access terminal, custom-engineered for Causeway Technologies Limited to meet rigorous construction site demands.

OCAS North American Rollout and Expansion

• Secured approval and successfully deployed OCAS installations across North America. Active global deployments now span Europe, Canada, and systems prepared for launch in the United States.
• Engineered and introduced a dedicated portfolio of standalone OCAS products. These compact systems harvest key OCAS capabilities, headlined by the OCAS-iL , OCAS-V , and OCAS V3d solutions.

Partnering with Europe’s Premier Aviation Hub

In collaboration with AtkinsRealis, we designed, deployed, and currently maintain state-of-the-art biometric check-in and automated boarding systems across one of Europe's busiest airports.