Beretta smart gun paired with a smartphone

The most advanced weapons companies in recent years have been experimenting with biometric authentication systems. To protect the owner in an extreme situation, he immediately checks the fingerprint on the handle before firing. If the enemy took the gun, he could not shoot. In theory.

The problem is that such systems do not work with absolute accuracy. Sometimes, very rarely, a recognition failure or a false positive occurs. Although the probability of error is extremely small, but for such a gadget this is a critical indicator. Imagine that the probability of a shot from a pistol is not 100% , but "only" 98%. Will it suit you?

The well-known Italian company Beretta completely differently implemented an intelligent security system, and in some ways it is right.

On July 3, 2015, Beretta and computer company Intellitronika introduced the i-Protect security system , which was created to reduce the response time of emergency response centers in the event of an incident with law enforcement officials or citizens.

So, the 9ere19mm caliber Beretta PX4 Storm-i pistol works in tandem with the ODINO 5 mobile app on the owner’s smartphone. The gun integrates the Bluetooth LE controller. The mobile application is in touch with the center and transmits information on the status and coordinates of the gun via a secure channel in real time. The status of the gun is an identification number on the NFC tag, the number of shots made, information from the built-in accelerometer and gyroscope.

If something strange happens, the center’s employees can immediately provide support to an on-site employee: for example, activate a system for recording ambient sounds, video recording from a smartphone to collect additional information and send a quick response team.



It is possible to immediately call for help by pressing the button. Then the recording of audio and video begins immediately, while the quick response team is on its way.

From July 1 to August 31, 2015, the i-Protect system was checked in the case by individual employees of the Carabinieri Corps from the Milan Provincial Command unit, selected taking into account the duties performed.



Weapons produced by Beretta are in service with the police and the army in many countries of the world, and are widely used for self-defense by civilians. Let's hope that the new system will save many lives.