We've all walked through a metal detector at the airport, hoping we didn't forget anything in our pockets that will set off the alarm. When security personnel can't immediately identify what is triggering the alarm, the process is halted for a pat down. Though this slows the screening process significantly for people waiting in line and can be an uncomfortable experience for the individual being screened, it is an essential element of keeping all travelers safe.
To improve airport security, both for screeners and for those being screened, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) continually invests in research and development (R&D) to build solutions for the future. S&T's Screening at Speed Program partners with government, academia, and industry to increase security effectiveness at the airport from curb to gate, while dramatically reducing screening wait times and improving the passenger experience.
In 2020, Screening at Speed leveraged the DHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to develop improved handheld screening wands using millimeter wave (MMW) technology to resolve alarms and reduce the need for pat-downs. Design concepts defined by Screening at Speed included detecting metallic and non-metallic anomalous objects, classifying object materials, and using automated algorithms that protect privacy while distinguishing between concealed objects and clothing or skin.
No comments:
Post a Comment