What Physical Optics Corporation does

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) is a Torrance, California-based defense and security technology systems integrator founded in 1985, employing 501-1,000 people. The company serves U.S. military, defense, security, and commercial customers with advanced-technology integrations, and its current product portfolio centers on AI-enabled surveillance: biometric scanning adapters that enable DHS agents to capture identification data via cellphones, AI-powered automated airport CCTV analysis, and a predictive policing platform that aggregates nationwide 911 call data into geospatial heat maps. These offerings span multiple AI modalities (computer vision, structured data analytics, multimodal fusion, and autonomous-agent data capture) and target anomaly detection and predictive analytics in homeland security contexts.

The business model is built on long-cycle government procurement: POC has participated in Department of Homeland Security technology programs continuously from 2004 through 2025, with cumulative DHS contract awards exceeding $845 million. The company is privately held and founder-led, with Joanna Jannson serving as Founder, Chairman, President and CEO. Pricing, contract structures, and revenue mix between DHS and other defense/security/commercial customers are not disclosed, but the product set and customer framing point to a systems-integration-plus-recurring-software/services revenue model typical of mid-tier federal defense primes.

POC's strategic positioning combines a legacy optical-systems engineering base with a newer multi-modal AI stack, creating potential for cross-sell across DHS and adjacent federal customers while concentrating risk on federal budget cycles, evolving AI policy around biometric and predictive-policing deployments, and a single-anchor customer base.

Name

Physical Optics Corporation

Website

https://poc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Physical Optics Corporation is a Torrance, California-based defense and security systems integrator that develops AI-powered surveillance technologies, including biometric cellphone adapters, automated airport CCTV analytics, and predictive policing platforms, primarily for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Surveillance Technology

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Optoelectronic Receivers & Transceivers (Photodetectors/Optical Modules) (HDAHALAM)

Keywords

• Defense systems integration
• AI surveillance technology
• Homeland security systems
• Biometric identification devices
• Predictive policing platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Helmets: POC generates revenue primarily through direct sales of helmets for cycling and snow sports. Product categories include road cycling helmets, mountain bike helmets, ski helmets, and youth helmets.
2. Hardware Sales - Eyewear: Revenue from cycling and snow sports eyewear including sunglasses and goggles with interchangeable lenses.
3. Hardware Sales - Body Protection: Sales of VPD body protection including vests, knee/elbow pads, and back protectors for skiing and cycling.
4. Hardware Sales - Apparel: Sales of cycling and snow sports apparel including jerseys, jackets, and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Physical Optics Corporation is a systems integrator of advanced technology that develops AI surveillance products for the military, defense, security, and commercial markets. Core offerings include biometric scanning adapters for cellphones used by DHS agents, automated airport surveillance systems with AI-powered CCTV analysis, and predictive policing platforms that aggregate 911 call data into geospatial heat maps. These technologies are developed primarily under contracts with the Department of Homeland Security's technology incubator.

Product overview

Physical Optics Corporation develops AI surveillance technologies funded by the Department of Homeland Security's technology incubator. The company produces biometric scanning adapters for mobile phones, automated airport surveillance systems utilizing AI-powered CCTV analysis, and predictive policing platforms that aggregate structured data (911 calls) to generate geospatial intelligence. These products are part of DHS's broader AI surveillance initiative spanning 2004-2025 with over $845 million in awarded contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biometric Scanning Adapters for Cellphones Technology enabling DHS agents to harvest biometric data using cellphones, supporting identification and surveillance operations.
• Automated Airport Surveillance System AI-powered CCTV analysis system for automated monitoring at airports, supporting homeland security surveillance operations.
• Predictive Policing Platform Platform that aggregates 911 call data nationwide to generate geospatial heat maps for predictive law enforcement applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• VPD protection certified to EN 1621-2 Level 2 standard
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• KnogminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian bicycle accessory brand collaboration. Joint development of integrated lighting solutions such as helmet-mounted LED tail lights. Featured in POC Journal article 'POC x Knog: A shared bright idea'.
• Carl Zeiss Vision SunlenscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic optical technology partnership for Clarity lens development. POC lenses are developed with Carl Zeiss expertise for specific activity-based color curves optimizing contrast and color definition for cycling and snow sports environments.
• MIPScoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration of Multi-directional Impact Protection System in helmets to improve protection against rotational impacts. Available across POC helmet range including Fornix MIPS and other models.
• Marco OdermattflagshipOthers
• Breezy JohnsonflagshipOthersAmerican alpine ski racer and World Championship medalist. Athlete ambassador with product collaboration. Provides feedback on ski racing equipment requirements.
• Sarah HöfflincoreOthers
• Jeremy JonescoreOthersAmerican snowboarder and backcountry pioneer. Long-term helmet user with product feedback incorporated into development. Collaborated on Fornix Mips Pow JJ edition supporting Protect Our Winters climate advocacy.
• Yu SasakiminorOthersProfessional skier featured in product approval and testing for VPD Max protection line.
• Protect Our Winters (POW)minorOthersClimate advocacy organization. Collaboration on special edition Fornix Mips Pow JJ helmet supporting environmental protection efforts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Anduril Industries: Defense-tech company building AI-enabled surveillance, sensor, and command-and-control systems for DHS and DoD. Direct overlap with POC's airport CCTV, biometric, and AI-fusion surveillance offerings, though at significantly greater scale and capital base.
• Palantir Technologies: Provides AI-driven data fusion, geospatial analytics, and predictive platforms to DHS, ICE, and law enforcement — directly comparable to POC's predictive policing and multi-modal surveillance fusion products.
• Axon Enterprise: Supplies law-enforcement technology including AI-enabled video analytics and networked sensor platforms; competes with POC in predictive policing and AI-powered surveillance tooling for federal/state security customers.

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense prime with significant DHS and border-security electronics portfolios. Competes with POC on integrated surveillance systems but operates at much greater scale across a broader product mix.
• Teledyne FLIR: Sensors and imaging specialist serving DHS, DoD, and security integrators with thermal cameras and detection subsystems — overlapping with POC's optoelectronic and surveillance sensing capabilities.
• Sierra Nevada Corporation: Privately held mid-to-large defense integrator with ISR, electronic warfare, and integrated mission systems work for DHS and DoD; comparable scale tier and customer base to POC.
• Leidos: Major federal IT and security integrator with large DHS homeland-security contracts, including biometrics and surveillance system integration — direct overlap with POC's DHS product set at much larger scale.
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC): Federal services and integration contractor with substantial DHS, intelligence, and law-enforcement technology programs — competes for similar AI surveillance and integration task orders.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Federal technology and consulting firm with large DHS AI, biometrics, and homeland-security analytics practices — comparable in customer and mission space though primarily services-led.

Others

• CODA: Adjacent enabling provider rather than a direct competitor; included to flag ecosystem participation. (Note: weak fit retained only as adjacent reference; no strong direct peer remains in data.)

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Physical Optics Corporation