Certain airports have already taken the whole "walk through the metal detector" thing to the next level, but things are about to get stepped up once more thanks to TSA certification on a new product from GE Security. The CTX 9800 DSi, which happily sits in the company's explosives detection systems (EDS) line, is now free to waltz into airports in order to "protect travelers with advanced high-definition 3D imaging baggage screening technology." We're talking 360 degree, finely-detailed views of baggage contents, which will undoubtedly cause immense embarrassment when a given TSA agent sees your prime selection of underwear, nose hair trimmer and pink nail polish. Here's hoping this won't slow security lines down even further, and if you're interested in seeing what all this thing can do, just mash play on the video above.
Am I the only one that saw "CHECKED LUGGAGE SCREENING" in the video ie - not having ANY effect on the security lines - it's done with your big suitcases, etc before they're loaded on the plane.
Engadget's getting a bit caught up in sensationalist journalism lately.....
I'm just imagining an (off site plz?) inspector with a floating Minority Report style interface grabbing, rotating and throwing virtual bags. That would be sweet.
i think this is great, because although it does invade your 'privacy' a little more than a 2d scanner, it will allow security to be more precise with who they pull aside. something that looks like a threat on the 2d scanner might show up perfectly when in 3d, meaning you can carry on your merry way because the staff could see that what you had was perfectly fine. it means security checks will be more efficient as the threats will be more defined an instead of pulling every 2nd person aside, they could more accurately choose who they pull aside.
I wonder when this will begin to happen for the metal detectors that you walk through? might do a 3d scan of you!
I travel with my mouse pad in my laptop case and they have pulled it for extra inspection 100% of the time. Would be nice to explain to them that "no, I don't have a second laptop hiding in the case..."
Aviation insider here, these GE CTX machines are progressively making their way out of the public terminal areas, and are moving downstairs out of sight. Imagine one of those machines trying to fit at a security checkpoint, this would take up 3x as much room as a regular machine. These are what the TSA uses on checked baggage to check for explosives, not for knives, shanks, guns, etc up in the concourse security barriers.
GE CTX machines are a great technology, and observers of the machine are constantly tested by passing bags through with explosives to make sure the agents catch them. Also the supervisor can via computer, load a digital 'bag' containing prohibited items to test the agents another way.
Up until January of last year airlines were not required to scan any of their checked baggage. Now they are only required to scan 50%. Mandatory 100% screening has been mandated by the FAA by 2010 or 11.
Embarrassing underwear? Please. What if they wanted to inspect that misshapen electric razor that's buzzing away in your bag?
"Nine times out of ten, it's an electric razor but, every once and a while, it's a dildo. Of course, it's company policy never to imply ownership in the event of a dildo. We have to use the indefinite article A dildo, never YOUR dildo."
Biggest problem with spotting items in bags is how they lay across each other, the clutter. This is HUGE improvement to see into bags and should let screeners id items much quicker.
The old, dynamite attached to a clockwork alarm clock - now that is 1950's old skool terrorism. If they geniunely beleive that bombs look like that then we are in trouble.
This will just be a good way for baggage handlers to see if there is anything worth stealing in your luggage without opening it, then breaki it open when they see something they like.
As someone that works in the Airport Baggage Handleing field and incorporates these types of machines, I find this very interesting. Currently in-line screening systems use machines from Analogic and L3 which gives 2D and 3D images but not to this level of clarity. It definitely would cut down on screening time.
Now we should lay all passengers down and put them through it, just to be safe. Don't worry it couldn't be THAT much radiation. It's for your own good (says the government).
“Getting too close completely blurred what we saw to the point of incomprehension, but again, this shows a whole heap of potential that's fascinating to us.”
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posted Mar 27th 2009 12:19AM
cool
The CTX 9800 DSi is the same thing as the CTX 250, they just relabeled it to match the new naming scheme.
In other news - ENGADGET CANT READ.......
Am I the only one that saw "CHECKED LUGGAGE SCREENING" in the video
ie - not having ANY effect on the security lines - it's done with your big suitcases, etc before they're loaded on the plane.
Engadget's getting a bit caught up in sensationalist journalism lately.....
All those "safe" scanners make me nervous.
Seriously, how will this help security? 2D works fine.
Great, another way to invade my privacy.
You don't get it. You don't have a right to privacy to what you bring on an airplane.
It's airline policy not to imply ownership in the event of a dildo. We gotta use the indefinite article: "A" dildo. Never "Your" dildo
But I don't own a dil.......
Holy crap! Was that a bomb and some sort of gun? And coffee mugs?!
I don't wanna be on that plane!!
It appeared to be a dining set: complete with mugs, salt and pepper shakers, and an oldschool alarm clock strapped to a pack of explosives.
WEIRD commercial...
Terrorist 1: So are we ready to blow up the plane?
Terrorist 2: Sure...but not untill we have our coffeee
ya...that wasn't funnny
I'm just imagining an (off site plz?) inspector with a floating Minority Report style interface grabbing, rotating and throwing virtual bags. That would be sweet.
Can it see my weed?
I guess our traveling is limited to Jamica, netherlands and cali
Anyone else reminded of the scene in Total Recall?
I propose a new motto.
"GE: 'Cause airport security checks aren't intrusive enough already!"
then don't fly
DSi?
i think this is great, because although it does invade your 'privacy' a little more than a 2d scanner, it will allow security to be more precise with who they pull aside. something that looks like a threat on the 2d scanner might show up perfectly when in 3d, meaning you can carry on your merry way because the staff could see that what you had was perfectly fine. it means security checks will be more efficient as the threats will be more defined an instead of pulling every 2nd person aside, they could more accurately choose who they pull aside.
I wonder when this will begin to happen for the metal detectors that you walk through? might do a 3d scan of you!
...except that TSA employees are a$$holes.
They don't care what's in your bag, if they say your DIY USB charger is a bomb, your DIY USB charger is a bomb and you will not be flying with it.
(Then again, see post below.. Those machines are not for the lines)
I travel with my mouse pad in my laptop case and they have pulled it for extra inspection 100% of the time. Would be nice to explain to them that "no, I don't have a second laptop hiding in the case..."
What would a fleshlight look like... a pipe bomb maybe.
Is it me or is there a really tiny bomb sniffing dog in that suitcase?
Aviation insider here, these GE CTX machines are progressively making their way out of the public terminal areas, and are moving downstairs out of sight. Imagine one of those machines trying to fit at a security checkpoint, this would take up 3x as much room as a regular machine. These are what the TSA uses on checked baggage to check for explosives, not for knives, shanks, guns, etc up in the concourse security barriers.
GE CTX machines are a great technology, and observers of the machine are constantly tested by passing bags through with explosives to make sure the agents catch them. Also the supervisor can via computer, load a digital 'bag' containing prohibited items to test the agents another way.
Up until January of last year airlines were not required to scan any of their checked baggage. Now they are only required to scan 50%. Mandatory 100% screening has been mandated by the FAA by 2010 or 11.
Embarrassing underwear? Please. What if they wanted to inspect that misshapen electric razor that's buzzing away in your bag?
"Nine times out of ten, it's an electric razor but, every once and a while, it's a dildo. Of course, it's company policy never to imply ownership in the event of a dildo. We have to use the indefinite article A dildo, never YOUR dildo."
Is the long thingie an "electric razor"?
Take a look at 00:54 for a nice view.
Biggest problem with spotting items in bags is how they lay across each other, the clutter. This is HUGE improvement to see into bags and should let screeners id items much quicker.
Probably every suitcase that's spun in a 3-D wireframe looking view, looks like a bomb.
You'd think a machine that costs as much as this does would have a better GPU. Pfft.
The old, dynamite attached to a clockwork alarm clock - now that is 1950's old skool terrorism. If they geniunely beleive that bombs look like that then we are in trouble.
This will just be a good way for baggage handlers to see if there is anything worth stealing in your luggage without opening it, then breaki it open when they see something they like.
As someone that works in the Airport Baggage Handleing field and incorporates these types of machines, I find this very interesting. Currently in-line screening systems use machines from Analogic and L3 which gives 2D and 3D images but not to this level of clarity. It definitely would cut down on screening time.
lol
it found the old, run of the mill, Wiley Coyote type bomb.
I wonder if this will detect a dildo ....... :D
Oh, yeah it's definitely time for those personal flying vehicles to be released.
Now we should lay all passengers down and put them through it, just to be safe. Don't worry it couldn't be THAT much radiation. It's for your own good (says the government).
I'm sure this will be very effective-That is, until the terrorist figure that they need to disguise their bombs as personal items.