New security scanner trialled at city airport

A new type of highly sensitive airport scanner is being trialled at Cardiff Airport, with researchers claiming it has the potential to rapidly reduce security waitingtimes.

The walk-through scanner uses sensors originally designed to detect astronomical activity in deep space, but now uses the human body as a source of light to spot hidden objects.

Those objects show up as shadows against the body and its heat signal, with the system also able to learn the difference between everyday items such as mobile phones, and others which are prohibited on flights.

Scientists from Cardiff University and QMC Instruments said the new scanner, which is being trialled privately by invitation only at Cardiff Airport until December 7, would also no longer require passengers to remove jackets or items from their pockets at Security.

Ken Wood, sales and marketing director of Sequestim, the joint venture between the university and QMC Instruments, said: “Passenger numbers are expected to double in 20 years, putting airport security facilities under immense pressure.

“Our scanner combines a number of world-leading technologies developed by our team here in the UK.

“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 project is one of eight to have received funding from £1.8 million made available by the Government through a defence and security accelerator competition.