Best of What's New 2008

Security

T5000

Seeing bombs, not bodies
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T5000 Video

No one wants to board a plane with a terrorist, but neither would travelers much enjoy being marched through an irradiating x-ray machine that flashes their naked body to TSA workers. The British company Thruvision’s T5000 is the first security camera to spot a wide range of concealed contraband—bombs, guns, drugs, liquids and plastic explosives—without revealing anatomical details. The T5000 picks up faint electromagnetic signals known as terahertz waves, or T-rays, naturally emitted by all people and things. From 80 feet away, the camera can detect the difference between unique T-rays beaming off passengers and those coming from an object. Concealed goods show up onscreen as an outline against a G-rated silhouette of a body. The camera can even scan people in motion, a feature that could speed up security lines and make it ideal for public venues like malls and stadiums. And unlike an x-ray, the T5000 doesn’t emit dangerous ionizing energy—or anything at all—so there’s no harm to operators or to people being scanned.

T5000
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Thruvision has sold several units to the U.S. defense department this year and is in talks with major airports. A confidentiality policy keeps the company from naming names, but given the screener’s big advantages, expect its discreet debut in an airport near you soon. thruvision.com

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DarkFx
11/18/08 at 3:33 pm

You mean the nature of people's anatomy since now has been exploited to Security Personal? Personally I dont care who see's my junk, but is there at least background checks on these people? They should atleast have some degree of Med-schooling for a mature concept of what their real job is...

Well this definatly does deserve a reward... But I hope the x-rays are not harmfull to the reproductive system because in that case I would rather just get a strip search done. Take my pot n get on the plane. FFS Human Rights!

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bdew7
11/18/08 at 5:48 pm

Alright, let's see.
Since I have flown somewhere every year since my birth, I am all for anything that will speed up security. And not being irradiated is always a plus. Hopefully the T5000 will also alleviate people's fears of being exposed to the TSA official manning the scanners. Personally, I couldn't care less. They're just doing their jobs.
~B.

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Chipper Smoltz
11/19/08 at 12:59 am

This is very nice, it would help in increasing security for those places that need it and lots of people within.

Anything that helps in protecting humans from potential harm is something good. I don't mind the reduction in time as well if used in airports... more time to stay with loved ones before boarding =)

Gratz everyone on this.

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