In the 2000’s, when the world was introduced to the USB flash drive, Facebook and the iPhone, GSSI was taking 30 years of knowledge in the GPR industry and designing and building products that were smaller and more advanced than the decade prior.

In 2002, we introduced the SIR 3000 control unit, a truly portable GPR control unit. GSSI’s previous control unit, the SIR 2000, was cumbersome to use due to an external battery and the need for shorter attenuated cables to operate the system. The SIR 3000 was the first controller of its kind to incorporate an internal lithium-ion battery that protected it from environmental conditions and greatly reduced the complexity and weight of the system. The SIR 3000 user interface was designed to be similar to the early Windows operating software and simplified user modes, allowing for quick onboarding and familiarity.

The success and worldwide acceptance of the SIR 3000 provided the inspiration for the UtilityScan product. The UtilityScan system was the first cart-based, portable GPR system specifically designed for utility locating and mapping. An attractive feature was the integration of the lightweight SIR 3000 combined with a portable three-wheel cart. This initial design was the platform for the world leading UtilityScan family that GSSI continues to offer.

Did You Know: GSSI made the world’s first commercially available GPR system designed specifically for the detection of motion and breathing of live victims trapped in rubble piles?

In 2005, GSSI innovated GPR technology by developing a system called LifeLocator. LifeLocator was created to detect the motion and breathing of live victims trapped in rubble piles due to natural or manmade disasters. Over the next 15 years, there were several revisions and improvements of the LifeLocator, increasing performance and ease of use.

The LifeLocator III was successfully deployed during the Sichuan earthquake and was credited for saving over 50 lives. The LifeLocator allowed rescuers to search for people in debris piles of collapsed buildings. The system’s portability, combined with a remote tablet controller, allowed for the rescuers to monitor locations without putting themselves at risk. The final LifeLocator product in the series was the LifeLocator TRx which used dual transmitters of data to aid in quickly identifying trapped victims. Over the years, there has been a sense of pride within GSSI knowing that we built products that saved lives.

In 2009, GSSI launched the self-contained handheld StructureScan Mini Series for concrete inspection. The benefits of the StructureScan Mini Series included the low cost, the overall portability, and ergonomics of having an all-in-one system.

The StructureScan Mini system included a high-resolution color display along with innovative laser positioning and a simplified user interface that supported both 2D and 3D data collection. The UI is easy-to-use with menus that optimize the number of steps required to perform data collection.

Industry First: The StructureScan Mini incorporated laser positioning for highly accurate target marking.

Other GSSI Products (2000-2009)

• 2001: SIR 20 – High scan rate, rugged laptop, RADAN for Windows NT. Backbone of RoadScan and BridgeScan systems
• 2002: TerraVision – First 14-channel array system with real-time 3D imaging
• 2006: Profiler EMP 400 – Electromagnetic profiler, multi-frequency EM tool designed for heat stability and low noise
• 2009: Palm Antenna – 2000 MHz, small form factor antenna compatible with the SIR 2000 and SIR 20