Revolutionize Airport Security with Analytical AI's PASS System
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Analytical AI: Overview and Team
- The SVIP Program: Benefits and Support
- Problem Statement: Identification of Non-Threat Items
- The PASS Solution: How It Works
- Dataset and Data Protection
- The Importance of Medical Imaging Expertise
- Integration with OEM Partners
- Stream of Commerce Detection: A Comprehensive Approach
- Business Model and Licensing
- Demo of the PASS System
- Conclusion and Q&A
Introduction
In the world of homeland security and transportation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool for ensuring safety. Analytical AI, a company specializing in AI solutions, has been awarded the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) for Object Recognition and Adaptive Algorithms in Passenger Property Screening. In this article, we will explore Analytical AI's innovative solution, the Property Algorithmic Screening System (PASS), and its potential impact on enhancing security measures at airports. Let's dive in.
🚀 Analytical AI: Overview and Team
Analytical AI is an interdisciplinary team composed of experts in engineering, computational science, medicine, and business. Led by CTO David Odaibo and CIO Thomas Anthony, the company's mission is to make the world a safer place through the application of AI, with a particular focus on homeland security and transportation.
Initially awarded the SVIP program in 2020, Analytical AI is currently in Phase II of the program. The SVIP program offers an ideal platform for newer companies like Analytical AI, with its rolling deadline and quick turnaround time. Moreover, their retention of Intellectual Property (IP) generated as part of the project provides them with added flexibility.
Analytical AI benefits from the support and guidance of the SVIP team, which keeps them on track and plugged into the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) system. This collaboration not only provides technical data and support but also keeps Analytical AI informed about programs, roadmaps, and implementation strategies.
💡 Problem Statement: Identification of Non-Threat Items
The main problem Analytical AI aims to solve through the SVIP program is the identification of a wide range of non-threat items encountered during passenger property screening. This includes everyday objects such as laptops, shoes, and electronics like tablets and phones. Analytical AI's proposed solution, PASS, leverages data collected and annotated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Sandia National Lab to develop continuously improving adaptive Deep Learning algorithms.
By providing near real-time inferencing, PASS integrates with multiple Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) systems via the Object Perimeter Security Language (OPSL). The implementation of this solution is expected to yield several benefits, including reducing checkpoint wait times, improving passenger satisfaction by minimizing the need to divest bags, and reducing physical interaction between Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and passenger bags. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve the TSA's objective of image-on-alarm-only screening.
🔎 The PASS Solution: How It Works
To develop their algorithms, Analytical AI trained them on a curated and annotated dataset provided by Sandia, which contained stream-of-commerce (SoC) bags scanned on IDSS scanners. In addition, they have access to over 50,000 real-world airport scans collected from their OEM partners, Analogic, using CT ConneCT scanners. They are also exploring the use of synthetic CT bags for training and validation purposes.
The sensitive nature of the data handled by Analytical AI necessitates stringent data protection measures. They comply with all cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring that their systems meet or exceed the TSA's Sensitive Security Information (SSI) guidelines. Encryption at rest and during transmission, along with offline storage, contribute to the safeguarding of data.
💡 The Importance of Medical Imaging Expertise
One key advantage of Analytical AI is the team's background in the medical imaging domain, which offers a unique perspective when approaching baggage screening. Drawing parallels with identifying anomalies in brain CT images, they prioritize both the efficacy and applicability of their solution. Recognizing that lengthy inference times render even the most remarkable algorithms impractical, Analytical AI works closely with their OEM partners to integrate their solution efficiently. This includes considering factors such as software architecture, data flow, and GPU deployment.
🤝 Integration with OEM Partners
Analytical AI's solution seamlessly fits into the broader ecosystem of checkpoint screening, which includes both baggage screening and on-person screening. By working on complementary projects in the Active Millimeter and Passive Millimeters Wave spaces, they strive to create a comprehensive baggage screening system. The combination of their SoC project, Prohibited Items project, and Explosives Detection ATR Development project allows them to cover all aspects of the checkpoint screening process.
From a business perspective, Analytical AI licenses their solution and technology to both government agencies and OEMs. This allows them to collaborate with various stakeholders in the transportation and security sectors, ensuring that their solution reaches a wider audience.
⚡ Demo of the PASS System
During the presentation, Analytical AI provided a demo of the PASS system. Although the demo showcased an offline inferencing system, the actual system operates in real-time with shared memory and data, directly interfacing with scanners and emulators. The web-based demo involved uploading a Dicos file, which was then sent to the algorithm for inferencing on a GPU-based server. The system returned the probabilities, bounding boxes, and types of SoC items detected.
🎯 Conclusion and Q&A
Analytical AI's PASS system shows great promise in revolutionizing airport security screenings. By leveraging their expertise in AI and collaborating with the SVIP program and OEM partners, they aim to streamline the identification of non-threat items, reduce passenger inconvenience, and enhance overall security. The session ended with a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to delve deeper into the technical and business aspects of Analytical AI's solution.
Highlights
- Analytical AI, a company specializing in AI solutions for homeland security and transportation, presents their innovative solution, the Property Algorithmic Screening System (PASS).
- The SVIP program provides Analytical AI with support, guidance, and access to crucial technical data, allowing them to make significant strides in their research and development efforts.
- PASS aims to identify non-threat items encountered during passenger property screening, utilizing AI algorithms trained on annotated datasets and collaborating with OEM partners.
- The system's efficient inferencing capabilities, stemming from Analytical AI's expertise in medical imaging, ensure real-time results and enhance overall security measures.
- Analytical AI's collaboration with OEM partners creates a comprehensive baggage screening system, addressing various aspects of checkpoint security.
- The demo of the PASS system showcases its offline inferencing capabilities, giving participants a glimpse into its potential implementation in real-world scenarios.
FAQs
Q: How does the PASS system handle sensitive data?
A: Analytical AI complies with all cybersecurity guidelines, encrypting data at rest and in transit while implementing robust offline storage measures.
Q: Can the PASS system integrate with existing OEM systems?
A: Yes, PASS seamlessly integrates with multiple OEM systems via the OPSL, allowing for comprehensive and efficient baggage screening.
Q: What are the benefits of the PASS system for passengers?
A: The PASS system aims to reduce checkpoint wait times, minimize divestiture of bags, and limit physical interaction between passengers and Transportation Security Officers, enhancing overall passenger satisfaction.
Q: Does Analytical AI offer licensing options for their solution?
A: Yes, Analytical AI licenses its solution and technology to both government agencies and OEMs, ensuring broad access to their innovative technology.
Q: How does Analytical AI prioritize both efficacy and applicability of their solution?
A: Analytical AI's team, with a background in medical imaging, approaches baggage screening by considering both the accuracy of their algorithms and the time it takes to generate results, ensuring practicality and efficiency.
