The last few years have seen a number of interesting innovations emerge to try and make passing airport security that bit smoother. The latest of these has recently been tested at Cardiff Airport, and consists of a walk-through scanner that was developed by researchers at Cardiff University.
The technology is designed to provide a thorough examination without requiring the passenger to stop or remove any clothing, thus not only reducing queues at the terminal but also improving the effectiveness of the security checks.
“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,” the team explain. “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, which took place during December, uses technology that was originally designed to study the furthest reaches of the universe. The technology is so sensitive that it could detect a 100w light bulb 500,000 miles away.
Learning on the job
The technology is designed to quickly learn the difference between items that are okay to take onto the aircraft, and those that are not. The team believe that the trial proves that the technology is robust, versatile, fast and convenient.
The team hope that the trial will enable key stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Authority and BorderForce to see the technology in action and gain confidence in its capabilities.
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.”
You can check out the technology in action yourself via the video below.
