Thruvision, based in Oxfordshire, are to show off a new product, the T5000, that can see if people are illegally concealing items. The system can pick up on various materials that have a different “signature” to the human body. Items made from substances such as metals, plastics, gels or even explosives will be picked up by the T5000. You can have a look at some of the features of it’s predecessor, the T4000 [here].

Of course if you happen to be carrying personal things legitimately I guess it will pick up on those too. And the best thing about this new system? It’s non-invasive or “passive.” That’s secret agency speak for “you don’t know you’re being scanned.” The initial idea is a great one, but as with all of these things, it shouldn’t invade on citizen’s normal rights to walk around. We want to feel safe, but scanning everyone by invading their privacy in the hope of catching that one possible terrorist seems like stretching the imagination a little too far. [SHOW ME]