What a person wears usually is one indication of personality, but so is what lies underneath. Thruvision is betting it can unveil those hidden secrets with its T5000 camera that uses terahertz rays to see through barriers like cloth and some walls.

Thruvision writes “the T5000 passively collects these naturally occurring T-rays and processes them to form images that reveal concealed objects hidden under a person’s clothing without displaying physical body detail and without subjecting them to any of the harmful radiation associated with traditional X-ray security screening.”

The efficiency implications for security teams regularly searching for threats like knives and bombs is significant, at least until they become too comfortable with T5000 technology. That’s when a the risk of a criminal or terrorist figuring out how to block or fool the terahertz rays becomes more likely. Then they could hypothetically use the technique to get past security more easily than before.

Automation is generally good, though diluting the human element usually introduces its own risks.

Thruvision’s CEO Clive Beattie says “acts of terrorism have shaken the world in recent years and security precautions have been tightened globally. The T5000 dramatically extends the security surveillance envelope for ThruVision’s passive body scanning products used at important sites and events. The ability to see both metallic and non-metallic items on people out to 25m is certainly a key capability that will enhance any comprehensive security system deployment.”

The company likely is responding to a heightened demand for high tech security products in the marketplace in the wake of terrorist attacks around the globe.

But other parties could show interest as well. Peeping Toms may find other uses for the T5000 despite Thruvision’s good intentions, but the company is only allowing attendees with proper security clearance into an upcoming demo of the T5000’s capabilities, which is a good sign that it’s serious about managing the technology.

Thruvision’s T5000 is capable of ” ’seeing’ explosives, liquids,narcotics, weapons, plastics and ceramics hidden under clothing from 25 metres.”

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Entry was posted on Monday, March 10th, 2008 at 12:25 pm under Science and technology, Security, Technology.

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