Thruvision resources

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Your general questions answered

What is Thruvision?

Thruvision is a next-generation, people security screening technology
Using patented “Passive Terahertz Technology”, Thruvision is uniquely capable of detecting metallic and non-metallic threats including weapons, explosives and contraband, hidden under clothing, at distances up to 10 metres.

How does Thruvision work?

Thruvision is a specialist type of ‘body-heat’ camera
Unlike normal infrared cameras, it works at a lower frequency (called “Terahertz”). At this frequency, a person’s body heat is visible through clothing. Items concealed in clothing block this heat reaching the camera enabling Thruvision to see the size, shape and location of the concealed item against the warmth of the person’s body.

Is Thruvision safe?

Yes, Thruvision is completely safe
From inception, Thruvision has been designed to be completely safe. Unlike X-Ray body scanners, Thruvision does not emit radiation of any kind – it simply sees a person’s body heat and presents this as a video output.

Is Thruvision respectful of personal privacy?

Yes, Thruvision is completely respectful of personal privacy
Respecting personal privacy has always been a key aspect of Thruvision’s design. Unlike airport body scanners, Thruvision is not able to show any anatomical detail at all. This means it is impossible to identify an individual’s gender, age or ethnicity using Thruvision.

Has Thruvision been approved?

Yes, by both British and US Governments
Thruvision has been “vetted and approved” for operational use in surface transportation by the US Government’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and for public area screening by the British Government’s Home Office.

Who uses Thruvision?

Thruvision is operationally deployed in 20 countries around the world
Customers include Next, Sony, TSA, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles Metro, US State Department, and UK Border Force.

Your specific safety & privacy questions answered

Is Thruvision safe for pregnant women?

Yes – Thruvision cannot see inside a person. This means there is no way Thruvision can cause a pregnant woman or an unborn child any harm whatsoever.

Is Thruvision safe for people with medical devices?

Yes – there is no means by which Thruvision can interfere with medical devices. This means Thruvision is completely safe for individuals with, for example, pacemakers and insulin pumps.

Can Thruvision see prosthetics?

It depends – External prosthetics (such as artificial limbs) are seen by Thruvision, while internally inserted items (such as a replacement hip joint), are not. Thruvision security operators are specifically trained to sensitively manage a situation when an external prosthetic is detected.

Is Thruvision gender neutral?

Yes – unlike airport body scanners, no gender related information is required in order for Thruvision to operate successfully.

Does Thruvision store any personal data?

No – unlike airport bodyscanners, Thruvision does not need to record and process personal data in order to operate successfully. Thruvision users may choose to record Terahertz and video imagery in compliance with specific data protection regulations, if required.

Does Thruvision remove the need for physical searches?

Yes – Thruvision means that invasive physical searches of individuals by security operators are no longer needed. This is because Thruvision allows an operator to see the size, shape and location of any concealed item, who can then ask the individual to remove and show it without requiring any physical touching.