DHS awards $1 million to support machine learning development for airport security
With a growing need to improve the security, efficiency and accuracy of passenger and baggage screening, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is working with a small business to advance explosive detection equipment. Synthetik Applied Technologies was awarded funding to develop machine learning training data that simulates human travelers and baggage object models to support machine learning algorithms.
“As threats to our nation’s airports continue to evolve, we are committed to investing in technologies that will improve the security posture of aviation checkpoints, while minimizing the inconvenience to passengers,” said William N. Bryan, DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology. “We look forward to seeing the technology developed through the SBIR Program that supports our vision for a passenger screening process that is reliable, less invasive, and efficient.”