For years, travelers have endured the hassle and discomfort of removing their shoes during airport security screenings. Now, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is testing new technology that could eliminate this inconvenience. Debuting at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the prototype scanner uses advanced millimeter-wave technology to detect prohibited items without requiring passengers to remove their footwear.
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How the Shoe-Scanning Technology Works
The process is straightforward: travelers step onto a designated platform, placing their feet on marked areas. The scanner employs millimeter-wave technology to analyze the shoes, sending detailed data to a computer.
The system is designed for efficiency, with scans taking just about a second. The resulting image, built layer by layer, displays the contents of the shoes on a computer screen almost instantly.
Brian Lewis from the Department of Homeland Security explained that the system uses automated detection algorithms to analyze the scans. Security officers do not review the images directly; instead, they receive a simple red or green signal.
- Green Light: Shoes are cleared for travel.
- Red Light: Further inspection is required.
The algorithm is programmed to detect various anomalies, such as tampered shoes, prohibited materials, or unusual objects.
During a live demonstration at CES, CNET reporter Bridget Carey tested the scanner by placing several objects inside her shoe, including a dental floss pick, gummy worm, mustard packet, and a plastic knife. The machine successfully identified most of the items. However, as Lewis humorously admitted, the gummy worm evaded detection, highlighting areas for future improvement.
After removing the objects, Carey’s shoes scanned as clear, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness.
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Future Implications for Air Travel
The introduction of shoe removal at airport security dates back to 2006, following an attempted bombing by Richard Reid in 2001. Reid had hidden explosives in his shoes, prompting the TSA to adopt stringent footwear screening protocols.
This new technology aims to address the long-standing inconvenience of removing shoes while maintaining rigorous security standards.
The prototype scanner represents a step toward more seamless air travel experiences. Lewis emphasized the TSA’s commitment to improving convenience without compromising security.
“Passengers have consistently expressed a desire for more efficient processes,” he said. “We believe this technology will excite travelers by reducing one of the most common pain points of security screenings.”
The TSA plans to use the data collected from CES demonstrations to refine the system further. While still in the development phase, the shoe-scanning technology could revolutionize airport security checkpoints if widely implemented.
With its promise of speed, efficiency, and reduced discomfort, this innovation has the potential to transform how travelers experience airport security in the future.