Will be tested at three airports
AGS Airports Ltd., in partnership with Pangiam and Google Cloud, announced the details of Project DARTMOUTH, an initiative to transform airport security operations by searching for threats lurking in airport baggage and other shipments.
Project DARTMOUTH will use technologies from Pangiam along with artificial intelligence from Google Cloud and machine learning supercomputers such as the Vertex Artificial Intelligence Platform. This technology will be tested at the security facilities of AGS Airport Ltd., the owners and operators of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton Airports in the UK.
The collaboration means that Pangiam’s national security-grade technology and deep experience in managing aviation security threats will be powered by Google Cloud’s industry-leading suite of artificial intelligence technologies.
Artificial intelligence will assist the personnel
Project DARTMOUTH aims to make air travel safer by integrating artificial intelligence into airport baggage security and screening operations. Technology and artificial intelligence will focus on rapidly identifying potential threats in the first place, and security teams working at luggage control areas and manual security checkpoints will be supported by artificial intelligence. In later stages, the technology will be scaled up to help tackle other aspects of security and wider airport operations.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning models will be trained to detect prohibited items in real time as bags pass through aerodrome X-ray scanning equipment. It will also be used to detect anomalies and unusual patterns that could indicate a new or coordinated attempt to breach security, before alerting security personnel to further review these items.
Alexis Long, Pangiam Chief Strategy Officer, said: “This technology represents a pivotal step in bringing automation to aviation security and sets a new precedent for international security standards. Above all, this technology will provide a better experience for passengers, airports and governments. To help us achieve this, we chose Google Cloud, a leader in artificial intelligence and cloud technologies, as our technology provider.”
Mark Palmer, Head of Public Sector, Google Cloud EMEA, said: “We are delighted to partner with Pangiam in this groundbreaking initiative to protect AGS’s passenger and customer network. The power of artificial intelligence is unlimited. We look forward to improving the aviation industry overall with this unlimited power.”
World leaders in the same project
Mark Johnston, Chief Operating Officer of AGS Airports Ltd, said: “Google Cloud and Pangiam are world leaders in artificial intelligence. We are pleased to partner with both organizations on a cutting-edge project that could have a positive impact on the safety of our passengers and colleagues.”
Johnston concluded: “Aviation is a never-ending industry and as one of the UK’s largest airport groups, we are constantly looking for new ways to adapt and evolve. This is all the more important when it comes to ensuring the safety and security of the millions of passengers we serve each year. We live in a world that is constantly changing with emerging threats, and it is not a requirement, but a necessity, that we continue to adopt new technologies that will enable frontline security teams to provide a seamless, secure customer experience.”
