TSA pat-downs could become a thing of the past with VR tech

Researchers at the Transportation Security Administration have recently designed virtual reality techniques to effectively pat-down a person, according to the material published online by the Homeland Security Department, without touching a person directly.

The conceptual technique, known as a “wearing sensor for contactless physical evaluation”, combines a hepatic feedback pad with a touchless sensor, camera, and a virtual reality headset, physically “imitating” the “sensation” of a traditional screening. DHS has applied to patent the device, and 404 media has originally reported on technology.

TSA researchers designed this wearable technology that can help make the airport’s pat-downs less aggressive.
Credit: Homeland Security Department

A description of the wearing device mentions that technology “can reduce potential losses when touching unsafe items, preserving personal privacy during safety screening, or provides physical awareness to visually-and-blind individuals.”

In 2024, TSA investigated 904 million passengers, according to the federal agency. An unknown number of passengers received a pat-down, which the agency says that it is used to determine if a passenger is hiding a prohibited object, such as firearm or knife.

Such a screening has gone viral online in the past, claiming that they were subject to aggressive, sexual or otherwise unfair touch.

The sensor system can use millimeter wave scanning, light detection and ranging (Lidar), or backcatter X-ray techniques to reveal items hidden by clothing. A handheld padded device with those sensors will detect an individual’s “controls” to eventually form a map that would direct the user’s hand through the Haptic reaction.

According to a review of 404 media patent documents, the performance of sensitive body parts will be limited to preserving privacy.

Nevertheless, 404 media also spoke with an anonymous, doubtful privacy specialist, who questioned whether the technology is really non-invasive.

The expert told 404 media, “I think it is considered that the person being discovered does not feel one thing, but the TSA officer can get up there?”. The expert told 404 media. “The officer may feel it … and perhaps it is even more aggressive (or inappropriate)? All by collecting 3D rendering of your body.”

For now, the TSA still conducts its screening in the old-fashioned ways-with mileyimeter wave imaging, walk-through metal detectors, and yes, often-dreded pat-downs.