Anyone can create an explosive just by watching a tutorial on platforms like YouTube. It is no longer just about dynamite, gunpowder, or C4. It can also happen that a substance explodes in certain situations as on an airplane flight. The baggage scanner you see at airports are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can detect explosives by analyzing the molecular structure of the contents of each suitcase. The computer displays what is in the luggage using colors, where brown color may indicate wood, oil, or some form of explosives. Added to explosives detection are the advantages of artificial intelligence. Whereas an operator can only see the colors on the screen, artificial intelligence can interpret depth of colors and detect, more quickly and accurately, whether it is a hazardous or prohibited material.

Can artificial intelligence make mistakes?

Artificial intelligence is designed to learn. Therefore, it can detect both safe and potentially dangerous items. The scanner operator indicates that the artificial intelligence detected a safe element, and this data is saved for future scans. There are also some items that security agents do not register because they can be false positives, but they can also be dangerous items. For example, if the scanner detects a brown object in the shape of a pencil, it could be a pencil or it could be an explosive Semtex mass encased as a pencil. In these instances, the scanner operator manually checks the contents of the baggage to rule out any dangerous items. Despite this, artificial intelligence optimizes the amount of luggage scanned per hour, preventing passengers from being delayed and getting to their flights on time.

Handheld explosives detectors

Some companies have designed explosives detectors that can be hold with the hand. This state-of-the-art equipment is often used when a suspicious bag or cargo is detected, and a baggage scanner is not available. In addition to explosives, these machines can detect narcotics, liquids, and chemicals, among other dangerous substances. They are so advanced that detect fragments of cocaine in the fabric of a suitcase. For example, if the person who organized the suitcase touched it with his hands full of cocaine, even if they wipe it clean, there are always traces left behind that these machines can detect. The next time you organize a plane trip, remember that artificial intelligence and the latest technology in detecting dangerous items protect you so that you travel safely. For more information, please visit the website of the airports you will be transiting through.