New Airport Scanner Could Make Taking Off Belts & Shoes A Thing Of The Past
The Sequestim security scanner promises to cut lengthy queues at airports.
The scanner that uses deep space technology
Researchers at Cardiff University initially developed the new Sequestim scanner to study distant objects throughout the universe, but it’s now finding a place in aviation. It has promising potential to cut processing times at security and keep air travel safe, and is only a couple of years from being ready for market. The company producing these new security scanners, Sequestim, is 20% owned by Cardiff University, and collaborated closely with Rapiscan Systems – a well-known manufacturer of airport security equipment and air cargo security inspection checkpoints – to develop a solid product for airports.
Through the use of space technology, the scanners will detect hidden objects using heat from the human body as a light bulb. The scanners can easily detect and identify concealed items through heat from the human body, even through heavy clothing. Using terahertz imaging, the scanner can screen at a frequency of 300 gigahertz, a higher frequency than the current security body scanners used in airports. This will enable passengers to keep shoes, belts and coats on, simply walking through the scanner without all the hassle.
The machines will only be used for passenger screening as they cannot see through baggage, so it doesn’t solve the laptops and liquids inconvenience. But for detecting concealed weapons, contraband and other items, this new technology looks promising. And, unlike the body scanners used today, no radiation will be directed at the passenger, and no one needs to see the images. That’s because it’s going to be able to find the threats itself.
Learning to detect a threat
While current scanners have proven to be powerful tools for the detection of threats, they still require a human to view the images to determine if a threat is present or not. To automate the process, the Sequestim scanner will use artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and recognize threats, but before it can do this, it needs to be taught what is normal and what isn’t.
Sequestim is keen to set up its scanner to begin the education process, allowing the AI to gather extensive data on real-world airline passengers. The company is in talks with airports across the United Kingdom to arrange this and says that, in a busy airport, it could take as little as two weeks to gather all the necessary data. In 2024, the firm aims to get accreditation by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) to be ready for market in 2025.
Cutting lines at airports
The Sequestim scanner promises to shorten airport lines, which is something we can all get behind. According to research by Bounce, the average wait time at US airport TSA checkpoints in 2023 has been around 23 minutes, although at peak times, this can balloon to an hour or more. Staff shortages are impacting how quickly passengers can be processed, and freeing them up by not having them help passengers prepare themselves for scanning could alleviate a lot of pressure on the TSA and other security forces.
According to Ken Wood, Chief Executive Officer at Sequestim,
“With passenger numbers expected to double in 20 years, Sequestim can cut waiting times and revolutionize the security experience, giving travelers more time to enjoy airport shops and restaurants. At the same time, we will empower security to keep people safe.”
Over this past summer, London Heathrow, the most internationally connected airport, faced many delays due to strikes by security workers when over 2,000 Unite Union security officers walked out between June and August, leading to increased airport waits. During these strikes, 7.662 million passengers used the airport, a 21.4% year-on-year increase compared to the number of passengers handled in July 2022.
Heathrow-based British Airways will increase its minimum connection time to ensure passengers have enough time to get from their first flight to their next one. The time is 60 minutes, but starting January 9, 2024, the time will be increased to 75 minutes. This is designed to give more padding for passengers as delays at immigration and security may cause passengers to miss tight connecting flights.
News taken from: SimpleFlying
