Toronto Pearson is testing a new walkthrough security scanner in multiple areas of the airport.
The security check is the by far the worst part of the passenger journey. Too much hassle, stress, clothes on/off, pockets emptied etc. Some of the stuff that goes on there is pretty daft. I recently went through the dreaded Amsterdam security and was stopped by because I had a 10 euro note in my pocket.
All passengers will welcome measures that remove the need for all that unpleasantness. So it’s great to see Toronto Pearson trial a new system that does indeed do that.
The new scanner uses 3D radar imaging and Artificial Intelligence technologies to detect and identify metallic and non-metallic concealed weapons and other threats,
Passengers will not have to stop and remove clothing or empty pockets of keys, cell phones, or other items while passing through the scanner.
The system protects privacy by not personalising image data, and operators can never see images.
The operator sees a Go/No-go screen with real-time information about threat type and location as people pass through the system.
The airport is trialling the system in multiple areas of the airport by conducting voluntary screening in an employee area and a location at the perimeter of the airport, including an entrance from the terminal parking garage.
Toronto Pearson is Canada’s largest airport and is the first in Canada to test the system.
Dwayne Macintosh, Director of Corporate Safety and Security for the GTAA:
“The GTAA prioritizes security and keeping ahead of the latest threats. At the same time, we value passenger and staff experience and look to next-generation technology to be able to balance both considerations. We look forward to trialling HEXWAVE and its potential to enhance safety at Toronto Pearson.”
Supplier
The system is called HEXWAVE and comes from US company Liberty Defense.
Based in the Greater Boston Area of Massachusetts, the company is a leading provider of detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats.
Liberty Defense is using the beta site as an opportunity to further test and train the system to continue improving HEXWAVE’s Artificial Intelligence machine learning algorithms, while also gathering user feedback.
Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense:
“The HEXWAVE’s ability to act as an additional layer of security at airports, extending the perimeter of the secured area to include the entrance to the airport itself, is an advantage,.
“We are thrilled to be working with the GTAA as it continues to take an innovative and forward-looking approach to security and customer experience.”
Other HEXWAVE beta trial locations include onsite testing with a major US International airport, a top US airline, a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium, a large state university, and one of the largest Hindu temples in North America.
Liberty Defense is also working with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to evaluate HEXWAVE for its expanded detection and throughput capabilities to screen aviation workers at a TSA designated airport in the future.
