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An
Airport Scanner That Sees All
Airlineratings.com
A
super-sensitive passenger scanner that reveals hidden security threats is being
trialed in the UK.
The
walk-through scanner, which uses space technology to image human body heat, is
the result of a collaboration between Sequestim Ltd. and Cardiff University
scientists.
Computer
learning allows the scanner to distinguish between threats and non-threats but
without the need for passengers to keep still or remove outer clothing.
Globally,
around 12 million passengers travel by plane every day on 120,000 flights.
The
technology has the potential to cut queues at airport terminals as it screens
people on the move. It will also impact on the effectiveness of security and
help keep passengers safe.
“Passenger numbers are expected to double in 20 years,
putting airport security facilities under immense pressure,” said Ken Wood, Sales and Marketing Director of
Sequestim Ltd, a joint venture between Cardiff University and QMC Instruments
Ltd.
“Our scanner combines a number of world-leading
technologies developed by our team here in the UK. It uses the human body as a
source of “light”, in contrast with existing scanners which process reflected
and scattered millimetre-waves while the passenger is required to strike a
pose.”
“Our system only needs a few seconds to do its work.
Passengers walking normally through security would no longer need to take off
coats and jackets, or remove personal items such as phones.”
The
trial takes place privately, by invitation only, from 4 to 7 December 2018 at
Cardiff Airport and will not affect passenger journeys.
The
project is one of eight to receive some of the £1.8m funding made available by
the UK Government earlier this year through a Defence and Security Accelerator
themed competition.
Part
of the five-year Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme, the
multimillion-pound initiative seeks innovative ideas such as this new passenger
scanner to help strengthen aviation security.
Originally
built to study the furthest reaches of the universe, the technology used is so
sensitive it could see a 100W light bulb at a distance of 500,000 miles (twice
the distance to the Moon.)
The
scanner quickly “learns” the difference between items that can and cannot be
taken onto an aircraft, reducing the risk of false alarms which inconvenience passengers
and slow down screening.
“The detector technology was originally developed to study
the most distant astronomical phenomena. For example, we study how stars are
born from gigantic clouds of gas and dust,” explained
Mr Wood.
“It detects millimetre-waves, which are just like visible
light but at a wavelength more than one thousand times longer. The ability of
the scanner to reveal hidden objects has also attracted interest from Border
Force, responsible for the UK’s frontline border control operations at air, sea
and rail ports.
“Any concealed items show up very clearly as a shadow
because the human body, by dint of its heat, acts like a light bulb for our
scanner. The new scanner images do not present any ethical issues because
anatomical details do not show up. No-one will need to see the images when the
technology is eventually used for real, however, because the system will be
completely automatic.”
The
airport trial aims to prove that passive terahertz imaging is robust,
versatile, fast and convenient.
UK Aviation Minister Liz Sugg said: “We have a
proud history of innovation here in the UK and passenger safety across all
modes of transport remains an important priority for the government.
“The Future Aviation Security Solutions programme demonstrates
our support for pioneering projects that can help to reduce security threats in
airports. I am pleased to see that the funding awarded to Sequestim has helped
the team take space technology and trial it as part of a new passenger
screening system at Cardiff Airport.”
Cardiff
Airport was bought by Welsh Government for £52m in 2013. Nearly 1.5m passengers
passed through the airport in 2017.
The
trial of the passenger scanner in December represents a first for Wales, and a
local collaboration with enormous impact potential.
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said: “Welsh
Government and Cardiff Airport are delighted to be hosting the proof-of-concept
trial of Sequestim’s innovative technology. This cutting-edge security camera
not only promises a huge improvement in our experience of air travel, but also
brings with it the prospect of job creation as Sequestim aims to manufacture
future scanners here in Wales.”
The
purpose of the trial is for key members of industry, the Centre for the
Protection of National Infrastructure, the Civil Aviation Authority and other
government bodies including BorderForce to see the technology in action.
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