Uncooled pyroelectric thermal imaging

Texas Instruments has been developing uncooled thermal imaging technology for the past 18 years with the promise that it would provide a low-cost solution to high-volume night vision applications. That promise is now being realized. Using technology developed for military applications with support from the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), and the Balanced Technology initiative (BTI), TI has teamed with Hughes Aircraft to provide a thermal imaging capability for police cruisers. The night vision kits include a thermal sensor, a pan and tilt head, mounting hardware, a display and a control center. The price of the introductory product is approximately $6000.