California-based startup company Deep North has secured a $196,880 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to implement video analytics technology in the Transportation Security Administration’s passenger screening procedure at airports.
DHS said its science and technology directorate awarded the funds as part of the “Emerging Needs: COVID-19 Response & Future Mitigation initiative under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program.
Deep North proposed updating its current technology to develop and integrate a video analytics platform into self-screening portals for TSA personnel to manage airport security and physical contact with travelers.
The company plans to use artificial intelligence to support full video and feedback processing in real time, the department noted. DHS expects the self-screening system to assign a unique identifier while the passenger is being screened and to make the UID invalid once the individual leaves the checkpoint area.
Phase I of the project will also look to incorporate automated body and baggage scanning software into the system.