Tell us about Xandem TMD.

Xandem’s product TMD (Tomographic Motion Detection) is a fundamentally new form of motion detection technology. It provides complete coverage of an area with the ability to be completely hidden from view  because it is not a line of sight technology.

It works by surrounding an area with our nodes that communicate with each other via radio waves creating a mesh network. It relies on disturbances of the mesh network to detect movement within an area. Each network has one processing unit (PU) that has normally closed contacts for easy integration with any standard panel. 

What advantages does TMD have over traditional motion sensors?

TMD has several distinct advantages over the existing motion sensing technologies. It has a very low false alarm rate. TMD does not rely on line of site so it cannot be blocked by objects moved in front of the nodes in the network. It provides complete coverage of areas up to 5,000 square feet. TMD can be completely hidden from view. 

Can TMD really sense through walls and obstructions?

Yes. TMD uses radio waves on the 2.4Ghz band (what most wireless networks use today). The radio waves travel through walls and obstructions. The only exception is metal, which the radio waves will travel around. 

Is TMD false alarm immune?

TMD is immune to the leading causes of false alarms. Bugs will not be detected, even if they crawl on our nodes. Rodents and birds do not have enough body mass to trigger the the motion detection.

It takes a large dog 50 lbs+ to have any effect, even then there’s a sensitivity setting which can be adjusted to detect a human but not a dog. Dirt build up is a non-issue, our system has no trouble operating when it’s completely covered in dirt.

Air conditioning, heating and other thermal energy have no effect on our system. 

What type of coverage does TMD have?

TMD can cover anything up to 5,000 square feet. It covers the complete area surrounded by our nodes, movement inside of the network will trigger the system regardless of obstructions and walls. 

Can you give us some applications / scenarios where TMD would be used?

TMD excels in 3 areas.

  • Aesthetic-Sensitive Areas. Used for automation and security in homes and places that don’t want ugly sensors looking at you everywhere. 
  • High Value Assets. Used for security to protect businesses and civilians that need unbeatable security to protect their assets. Jewelry stores and pawn shops for example.
  • Dirty and Cluttered environments. Used for security in dirty and dynamic environments like warehouses and machine shops where traditional sensors get blocked either by equipment or dirt.

How does the cost of TMD compare with the current standard of products on the market?

TMD is cost effective. It competes very well when you compare the square footage of coverage against any traditional motion detection system. Remember we’re talking complete coverage here.

Xandem is exhibiting at CEDIA 2013, what do you hope to accomplish at this show?

We’re hoping to help spread the word about our powerful new technology to the visionaries in the home gadget and automation world.

We will be demonstrating how our system works and why it solves many of the issues that plague traditional motion sensors. Especially aesthetics, our system remains completely hidden.

What future products and features are being developed at Xandem?

Xandem is currently developing several projects, some we can talk about, some we can’t. Here’s a few I can disclose. 

  • Battery operated TMD that will run for over a year on household batteries. 
  • Rapid deployment tracking system build for law enforcement, mainly SWAT. This product will allow teams to deploy our system quickly and then track the location of people within a building without ever entering. 
  • Fall detection for elderly care. This product will allow for care givers to monitor the elderly without invading the privacy of the home with cameras etc. If grandma falls down, notifications will be sent to the proper care givers. We’re hoping this will allow elderly who need low levels of monitoring to stay in their homes longer and for far less than the cost of a nursing home.

Matt Kankainen 

The first hire of Xandem Technology. Matt has 8 years experience with start ups and small business ventures and another 7 years in IT. He’s a jack of all trades with a BS in Computer Science from the University of Utah. Currently working as VP of Product Development to take ideas and research and turn them into robust products that are user friendly.