 |
Future Attribute Screening Technologies Precrime Detector
Homeland Security's Future Attribute Screening Technologies (FAST) initiative seems to be gaining ground. The intent of the program is to develop a fusion of different sensor technologies that would allow operators to detect malicious intent or "hostile thoughts" on the part of people passing through a checkpoint. They're even working on a convenient mobile module.
(DHS FAST screen display)
The Department of Homeland Security gave an update on the project last week:
At an equestrian centre in Maryland, 140 paid volunteers walked through a pair of trailers kitted out with a battery of FAST sensors, including cameras, infrared heat sensors and an eyesafe laser radar, called a Bio-Lidar, that measures pulse and breathing rate from a distance.Some subjects were told to act shifty, be evasive, deceptive and hostile. And many were detected. "We're still very early on in this research, but it is looking very promising," says DHS science spokesman John Verrico. "We are running at about 78% accuracy on mal-intent detection, and 80% on deception."
Draper Laboratories received a $2.6 million contract from DHS to develop a FAST Mobile Module - FAST M2, the portable precrime detector. Rather than living in giant trailers, it will be an easily deployed unit that can be set up anywhere.
"FAST M2, a prototypical mobile suite, will be used for primary screening at security checkpoints, providing a transportable facility for the development, integration and implementation of human centered/behavioral screening technology," DHS says. "While existing screening technologies--such as biometrics--offer the potential to identify known terrorists, FAST technologies focus strictly on real-time psycho physiological/behavioral patterns in an attempt to prevent the unknown terrorist from gaining successful access to his or her desired location. This will be accomplished through the use of mobile, real-time, multi-modal behavioral and physiological sensing technologies that provide culturally neutral indicators of mal-intent."
Apparently, DHS will not require bulky analytical wings with babbling precogs to be able to tell, in advance, if you might possibly break the law.
(Minority Report precrime unit computer room)
From New Scientist; see also the original DHS FAST request for information (pdf), as well as this DHS FAST M2 press release. Thanks to Mike for writing in with the tip on this one.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 9/24/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 6 )
Related News Stories - (" Surveillance ")
Panopticlick Browser Ident-Key You Didn't Know You Had
If your device fingerprint is unique, every web page you access can be tracked. Which sf author saw this problem coming almost fifty years ago?
Herti Drones To Surveil UK Civilians
Autonomous drones designed for military operations in Afganistan come home to keep close tabs on you and me.
HAMLeT Hazardous Material Localization And Person Tracking
This system can actually track the movement of a person carrying a banned material; can you name the movie that used a similar system?
DEXI Scanner Looks Inside Air Travelers
How far will we go in searching air travelers?
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
Put MercuryHouseOne Anywhere
Perhaps looking out through the spray of Victoria Falls.
Computational Wood: Grow Circuits In Living Trees
Just tap into the information tree.
SIRI Virtual Assistant Like Pohl's Joymaker
Man Forrester! Your joymaker is ready.
Liquid Glass Universal Spray-On Protectant
Also used to protect galactic way stations.
WIND Wearable Robot Controller
Robot wirelessly sense, robot do.
Gesture Cube Touch-Free Input
Just think of the gestures you'll use!
IMPASS Robot 'Smart Wheel' Video
I love it when good robot research comes together.
Predator, Prey Robots Evolve
Humanity must make a choice about robot evolution.
Mind-Control Lights At Vancouver Olympics
Bringing The Game to the Olympic Games.
PALRO Companion Robot
Who's your favorite companion robot?
Wasabi Smoke Alarm Now Available
It's an odalarm!
Spyder Olympic GS Suit With d3o
An impact suit made with a shear thickening material.
First Transistor That Mimics Brain Synapse
The Nexus Six phone will need a Nexus-6 brain.
Legged Squad Support System Monster BigDog Robot
A robotic pack mule for soldiers.
Implantable Energy-Harvesting Rubber Sheets
Take a deep breath, and power up that cell phone!
Bose Ride System Smooths Your Ride
Ride the spaceways - uh, roads - in comfort.
