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British company ThruVision announced the T5000, a high-powered camera that can detect weapons, drugs or explosives hidden under people’s clothing. In what could be a breakthrough innovation, the T5000 can detect hidden objects up to 80 feet away and will be effective even when people are moving.

The T5000 camera uses what ThruVision calls “passive imaging technology” that identifies a hidden object through natural electromagnetic rays, known as Terahertz or T-rays. Although it can detect objects hidden underneath people’s clothes, the camera does not however unveil physical body details. So, women don’t anything to worry about, should the camera go on mass production and implementation in airports and other public places. Likewise, the rays emitted by the camera do not also harm humans in whatever ways.

Clive Beattie, CEO of ThruVision said that due to threats from widespread terrorism, security precautions worldwide have been tightened.

“The ability to see both metallic and non-metallic items on people out to 25 meters is certainly a key capability that will enhance any comprehensive security system,” said Beattie.

Despite the potential of the T5000 in enhancing detection and possibly preventing crime, ThruVision does acknowledge the possibility of concerns rising up. Britain already has hundreds of thousands of closed-circuit television cameras and adding the T5000 might create the impression that the country is becoming a surveillance society.

Another issue that ThruVision is predicting relates to health. So as early as now, the company is saying that Terahertz rays lie somewhere in between infrared and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum, and hence pose no threat to human health.

Read [Reuters]