Tony Kingham speaks to Kevin Knopp, CEO and co-founder of 908 Devices about the launch of their VipIR, a 3-in-1 handheld analyzer

Tony Kingham: I’m Tony Kingham, editor of Border Security Report magazine, and today I’m talking to Kevin Knop, CEO and co-founder of 908 Devices. Hello, Kevin.

Kevin Knop: Thank you, Tony. It’s great to be here.

Tony Kingham: 908 Devices recently launched the VipIR handheld Analyzer. Can you tell me about it and how it fits into the border ecosystem?

Kevin Knop: Of course. At 908 Devices, we specialize in handheld chemical analyzers that bring the power of a lab directly to the field. Our goal is to provide rapid, reliable answers in critical moments for frontline professionals, law enforcement combating the opioid crisis, military units facing airborne hazards, hazmat teams, international disaster agencies, and increasingly border and customs authorities. Today, we have about 3,000 devices deployed worldwide and more than 15,000 trained users across 55 countries.

VipIR is our newest product; it’s the fifth in our portfolio that we launched in July. It’s designed with border and customs agencies in mind, though we see it as highly valuable for hazmat and emergency response as well. What makes VipIR unique is that it combines three technologies in one handheld device: our proven FTIR platform, Raman spectroscopy, and our proprietary smart spectral processing, which ties these together to create a single confirmatory workflow.

In practice, an officer can place a minute amount of sample—whether that be a powder or a liquid—on the device, and in seconds, it can identify over 39,000 chemicals, including narcotics, explosives, toxic industrial chemicals, cutting agents, and even mixtures. This approach takes much of the guesswork out of field testing, reduces training requirements, and overcomes attempts by traffickers to mask substances with dyes or other adulterants. VipIR provides a complete picture quickly and reliably.

Another really important feature of VipIR is the built-in Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity to our Team Leader platform. This allows results to be instantly shared with command staff or other agencies, helping to coordinate evidence collection. You can also track trends across multiple devices. For border security, where the sheer volume of vehicles and packages is overwhelming, VipIR really helps officers triage faster and more effectively without disturbing commerce.

Tony Kingham: Brilliant. Thank you. Will you be bringing the VipIR to the World Border Security Congress in Vienna next year?

Kevin Knop: We do attend many conferences each year. For example, we recently highlighted VipIR at an international drug detection conference, and Vienna would certainly be an excellent opportunity that we’ll evaluate as part of our plans.

Tony Kingham: Okay, Kevin, thank you very much. Hope to see you soon.

Kevin Knop: Thank you, Tony. It’s really been a pleasure.