Hitachi Introduces Bomb-Detecting Airport Gate Prototype

Airport passengers might soon face an added level of security thanks to a prototype bomb-detecting airport gate unveiled by Japanese company Hitachi, reports The Australian.

The project was a collaboration between Hitachi, The Nippon Signal Co. and the University of Yamanashi, The Asahi Shimbun reports. It uses "mass spectrometry technology that can detect the presence or absence of explosive compounds within one to two seconds."

According to The Australian, as a passenger swipes their boarding pass, a gust of air is blown onto the hand and then sucked back in by the machine. The machine instantly tests that air for the presence of explosive particles that may have been on the passenger's hand.

A press release from Hitachi touts that this invention "provides increased security without affecting convenience," as it does not disrupt the flow of passengers. It also notes the device's applicability as easy use in such public places as train stations, stadiums and event halls.