Australian Airports To Test TeraHertz Body Scanners

Australian airports have begun trialing TeraHertz body scanning technology. At Australia's busiest and second-busiest airports in Sydney and Melbourne TS4 devices produced by ThruVision Systems will be tested.

According to UK-based security company ThruVision Systems, their "passive" scanning technology "operates by receiving natural TeraHertz energy from the person being screened and the environment immediately surrounding them." The machines fitted with the technology collect the natural thermal energy that is emitted by all people and objects, and are able to identify any concealed objects from the different TeraHertz waves they emit, all without capturing high levels of body detail.

"Terahertz waves occupy part of the electromagnetic spectrum between radio waves and infra-red (heat). Terahertz waves are naturally produced all of the time by all objects and people. ThruVision Systems' products only receive, they do not transmit. ThruVision Systems' products do not illuminate people with any radiation such as X-rays or millimetre wave microwaves. The products provide imaging solutions for real time use on people either close by or at distance, indoors and out."

ThruVision's TS4 passive full-body screening system, which is capable of detecting metals, plastics, ceramics, liquids, gels and powders, is already being tested at Sydney airport and Melbourne airport, with plans to extend the trials to other Australian airports over time.