The People Portal 2 is a pass-through screening unit that can identify any object or substance, such as metal, ceramics, plastics, powders or liquids that are not part of a person’s biological make-up. It was developed by Tex Yukl of Spatial Security Systems, Clarkston, Wash.
The technology uses low power and extremely safe microwaves to find potentially threatening objects. A prototype unit was tested in the Lewiston-Nez Perce County airport, located in Lewiston, Idaho. Airport manager Robin Turner endorses the technology for being passenger friendly and non-intrusive while detecting potential threats.
“When you pass through the device it is not gender-specific, and only displays a wire diagram of a human being on the operators screen” says Turner. The screening process takes about 2.5 seconds (20 people per minute), thus helping to eliminate long lines and waiting at checkpoints. It also eliminates the need for people to go through extensive pre-screening processes such as being patted down, the use of a “wand” or the removal of their shoes.
The technology has been developed over the past five years under Federal Aviation Administration sponsorship and $2 million in grants.
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