UK tech spots concealed weapons

Digital Barriers, a UK-based intelligent vision specialist, recently signed an agreement with the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enhance the capability of its ThruVis camera system for detecting weapons and concealed explosives at the nation’s airports.

ThruVis is a highly sensitive camera, capable of spotting objects hidden under clothing, such as a suicide vest, from up to 10m away. It can be operated remotely as people walk through a crowded area, without the need to stop them, and is small enough to be installed on the roof of airport buildings to scan passengers below, according to Richard Revis, senior manager at Digital Barriers.

“In this way you can start to screen people before they reach a check point, because there may already be quite a large group of people at the check point, making it a sensitive spot,” he said.

The system is based on the use of Terahertz radiation. Terahertz energy reflected from people’s bodies passes through clothing. But any objects concealed underneath their clothing will show up in contrast on the screen.