Device Samples Air As Boarding Passes Are Scanned

A prototype boarding gate with built-in explosives detection equipment has been unveiled by Hitachi in collaboration with The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. and the University of Yamanashi. In a news release, the company said the device is designed to increase safety in public facilities such as airports.

The prototype boarding gate efficiently collects minute particles which have affixed themselves to IC cards or portable devices used as boarding passes, and can detect within 1-2 seconds the presence of explosive compounds using internalized equipment. With this method, it is possible to inspect 1,200 passengers per hour. The technology is expected to contribute to the prevention and containment of carry-on explosives as it inspects immediately prior to boarding without disrupting the flow of passengers, and provides increased security without affecting convenience. This research and development was supported by the Strategic Funds for the Promotion of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT).

In recent years, to ensure safety and security in transport services, there is a need increase security to discourage and prevent the carrying-on of explosives into to transports such as airplanes. For example, flight safety would be significantly increased if it were possible to inspect passengers for explosives at the boarding gate, the last point of inspection before boarding the flight; however, as several hundreds of passengers need to pass through the gate at once, the time taken by conventional metal detectors and X-ray inspections was an issue.

The prototype boarding gate developed through collaboration between Hitachi, Nippon Signal and the University of Yamanashi, employs mass spectrometry technology which can detect the presence or absence of explosive compounds within 1-2 seconds. As a result, it is now possible to simultaneously check the boarding passes contained in IC cards or portable devices while inspecting all passengers for explosive compounds without affecting the flow of passengers passing through the gate.

As this equipment can be adapted to entrance security equipment for train stations, stadiums, event halls, etc. in the future, it is expected to contribute as platform technology to achieving the safety and security of public spaces.

(Image provided by Hitachi)

FMI: www.hitachi.com