TSA Develops VR-Based Tool for Contactless Screening
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is advancing a virtual reality (VR) concept designed to transform the traditional airport security process. The new system aims to eliminate the need for physical pat-downs by enabling agents to carry out assessments using wearable VR and haptic technology.
This innovation, known as the Wearable Sensor for Contactless Physical Assessment (WSCPA), remains in the developmental stage. However, if it reaches implementation, it may allow officers to detect hidden threats without making any physical contact with travellers. The core technology combines VR headsets, haptic-feedback gloves, and non-contact sensors to create a simulated sensation of touch.
According to an official overview from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the system uses various scanning technologies, including millimetre wave, LiDAR, or backscatter X-ray, to form a digital ‘contour map’ of an individual’s body or concealed object. This digital representation is transmitted to the wearable glove, which replicates the contours and textures via haptic feedback, enabling a virtual tactile examination.
In practice, an agent would don the headset and glove, positioning the device near the subject’s body. The embedded sensors capture the shape and outline of the area or object in question. These data are then processed by a mapping algorithm and translated into tactile signals, which the glove delivers back to the officer’s hand. The result is a realistic impression of touch, without physical contact.
DHS describes the system as a way to “generate feedback to physically replicate the target object,” allowing officers to feel what they are assessing. This mechanism is intended to enhance both passenger dignity and officer safety, especially when assessing potentially hazardous items.
There are multiple projected benefits. The WSCPA could help maintain personal privacy during screenings by avoiding direct contact. It also provides a safer method for handling situations involving unknown or potentially dangerous objects. In addition, the tool may support greater accessibility for vision-impaired users, offering enhanced situational awareness through touch simulation.
While the original use case is focused on aviation security, the DHS has indicated that the technology may have broader applications. Potential future uses include medical diagnostics, assistive devices for the visually impaired, and hands-on learning tools in educational settings.
Currently, William Hastings. A senior TSA researcher is leading the project. The DHS’s Office of Industry Partnerships is seeking commercial entities to collaborate in developing the WSCPA system. Licensing opportunities are available through the agency’s Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Branch (T2C).
The WSCPA remains at the conceptual stage but is protected under a U.S. patent application. The documentation includes diagrams showing how the glove is fitted and used to scan body parts or objects, offering a glimpse into what future checkpoint protocols might entail.
If successfully implemented, the system could replace conventional physical pat-downs with a virtual assessment process, streamlining operations and improving passenger comfort. Security officers would no longer need to touch travellers directly, instead relying on advanced sensory equipment to identify potential threats.
This approach reflects a growing emphasis within the TSA on developing non-invasive, technology-driven screening tools. With the continued evolution of VR and haptics, the WSCPA may become a significant component in the next generation of security solutions.
Although still in early development, the WSCPA points to a future where airport screening is more respectful, efficient, and technologically advanced, reshaping the traveller experience through innovation.
