Technology & IT | Wednesday 9 May, 2018 12:06 pm |

In line with its commitment to the continuous advancement of airport infrastructure security, Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection, today unveiled the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX solution and the Touch Screen Check Point Configurator in the Middle East. The advanced technologies are showcased at the 18th Edition of the Airport Show taking place from 7th – 9th May, 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

“We are delighted to be participating in the Dubai Airport Show again this year,” said Tom Squier, Managing Director of Smiths Detection in the Middle East. “Smiths Detection has a long and rich heritage in threat detection. We are known for our ability to respond quickly to our customer’s needs with targeted and sophisticated screening and detection solutions and look forward to showcasing our latest technologies here in the UAE.”

The HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX checkpoint scanner is the first to feature the company’s proprietary CT scanning technology. It is equipped to deliver higher levels of security whilst optimizing checkpoint performance through improved productivity, increased throughput and lower costs. The cutting edge checkpoint scanner generates high resolution and exceptionally accurate 3D and 2D images - thus eliminating the need to remove electronics and liquids from hand luggage and improving the passenger experience.  Less divestment reduces the number of trays required per passenger. The process of handling fewer trays combined with the impressive 0.2m/s belt speed and low false alarm rate will significantly increase checkpoint throughput.

Moreover, the new scanner can be incorporated into existing checkpoint lanes and enable airport authorities to minimize upgrade costs. Integrating the checkpoint scanner into an advanced screening and management platform, such as Smiths Detection’s Checkpoint.Evoplus, will further streamline operations through remote screening and directed search, in addition to providing access to valuable management data.

Further planned enhancements for the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX focus on the automatic detection of prohibited items such as guns and large knives, hence operators will no longer need to review every image.

In addition, Smiths Detection is showcasing its innovative touchscreen virtual demonstration tool, which employs realistic graphics to enable airports to examine everything from passenger preparation to scanning, image analysis, software support, recheck and even the colour of its hardware. The Touch Screen Checkpoint Configurator tool illustrates the range of options that Smiths Detection can provide such as security, operational efficiency and scalability necessary to keep passengers, staff and infrastructure safe from threats.

Worldwide passenger traffic increased by 6.6% in 2017, while international passenger numbers increased by 8.4%. In the UAE, Dubai International maintained its status as the world's third-busiest airport last year with 88.24 million passengers.  According to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc the airport security market size is set to exceed USD 16 billion by 2024.

“Making travel simpler and safer for passengers is the foundation of our efforts around threat identification,” said Squier. “Our new products will integrate the passengers experience with optimum efficiency whilst improving security and helping airports to reduce operating costs. By offering our partners seamless solutions, and creating state-of-the-art technologies, we provide them with unprecedented peace of mind.”