Hitachi develops prototype boarding gate for explosives detection

Japan’s Hitachi has developed a prototype boarding gate with a built-in explosives detection equipment, in a bid to enhance protection and safety in public facilities such as airports.

Developed in partnership with The Nippon Signal and the University of Yamanashi, the new boarding gate uses mass spectrometry technology to detect explosive compounds within one to two seconds.

The efficient extraction and collection of the minute particles within a short period of time was achieved by optimising the timing to generate the air flow, positioning of the pass, and air current speed.

Capable of inspecting about 1,200 passengers per hour, the new gate enables high-speed collection of minute particles that firmly attach themselves to IC cards or portable devices and uses an internal equipment to detect containment of explosives prior to boarding.

The device does not affect the flow of passengers passing through the gate and provides increased security.

The company will showcase the prototype equipment at the Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference for Anti-Terrorism (SEECAT) 2012 to be held from 17-19 October 2012 at the Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.

Currently the prototype boarding gate is undergoing operation pilot test with further evaluations scheduled in the next financial year at public transport facilities.

Research and development of the boarding gate is supported by the Strategic Funds for the Promotion of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT).