Analogic Planning Airport Demos of ConneCT Scanner
Analogic [ALOG] says it will be demonstrating its ConneCT computed tomography-based checkpoint scanner at four airports in four different regions of the world by this July. The company says a demonstration is already underway in Japan and another will begin in Western Europe in March. Airports in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region will also be hosting demonstrations of the scanner, which has automated threat detection capabilities and a touchscreen interface. In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration is evaluating CT-based systems for screening carry-on bags at airports to improve threat detection and increase throughput.
Vision Box SmartGates Go Live at Dubai Airport
Dubai International Airport this month inaugurated its new Automated Border Control SmartGates for expediting passenger clearance through the self-services gates. The installation, integration and supply of the gates was done by Emaratech and its partner Vision-Box. The 122 gates feature multimodal biometric verification and passport, Emirates ID and SmartGate cards authentication. “The installation of the new smart gates in Terminal 1 arrivals area is part of an integrated development project to provide passengers with facilities and services that make their travel through Dubai International quick and easy” while also “maintaining a high level of security,” says Brig. Gen. Talal Al Shanqiti, assistant director for Ports Affairs at General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs in Dubai.
Portland International Using ScreenAdapt to Train TSOs
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate says that Portland International Airport has decided to continue using a software system developed by Design Interactive, S&T and the Transportation Security Administration to help train Transportation Security Officers as they visually search X-Ray images for potential threats. The ScreenAdapt software was originally used at the airport for testing purposes but the airport wanted to keep the technology as part of routine training because it helped security officers make decisions and clear bags faster. S&T says PDX has implemented ScreenAdapt as a permanent part of their hub and spoke training programs and built a dedicated training area for use of the technology.
CBP, Miami International Screening International Arrivals Using Facial Recognition
Miami International Airport and Customs and Border Protection are now conducting passport clearance using facial recognition for international arrivals at the airport’s newly renovated Concourse E federal inspection facility. The airport says the facility is the first in the U.S. dedicated to providing expedited passport screening via facial recognition. CBP and the airport began using the technology last November in a pilot evaluation. Using mounted cameras at the CBP inspection booths, the technology verifies a travelers’ identity by matching a traveler to the travel document they are presenting. The technology is screening up to 10 passengers per minute.
FLIR Introduces Sourceless RIID Device
FLIR Corp. [FLIR] has introduced the identiFINDER R440 radionuclide identification device (RIID), a sourceless handheld system that is IP67-rated. FLIR says the devices features a 2×2 Nal detector for sensitive and rapid detection of nuclear materials behind heavier shielding from standoff distances in rugged conditions. The company says an operator can be trained to use the device in less than 10 minutes.