Envisioned automatic inspection system that would use robotics and machine vision technology to increase screening capacity for explosives and other prohibited items and reduce operator error.
Security professionals physically pull flagged items from the screening line to manually inspect items flagged for secondary inspection. Once the item of interest is located in the bag, the security personnel swab and scan it for explosive residue and have to wait 10-15 seconds for a result. This entire procedure takes additional time and personnel and reduces overall screening capacity.
To address these challenges, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) envisions a robotic solution that would offer a fully automated inspection system, eliminating the need for security personnel to perform manual inspections of suspicious items. An item that triggers an alarm in the scanner would automatically be directed to the inspection area where a robotic system would open it, locate the suspect item, and swab the item with an explosives trace detector (ETD). This system would increase safety for security personnel while also increasing screening capacity and accuracy.
| Technology Category | Transportation Security & Explosives Characterization |
| Stage of Development | Conceptual |
| Inventor | Mark A. Fry |
| US Patent number | US11,254,011; US11,420,336; US11,554,497 |
| Partnerships Sought | License, Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) |
| DHS Component | Science and Technology Directorate |
| Contact Information | T2C@hq.dhs.gov |
For a more detailed description download the PDF below.
| Attachment | Ext. | Size | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic System for Security Inspections | 786.16 KB | 01/18/2024 |