TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's airport security is getting a high-tech upgrade that could significantly reduce passenger wait times while improving threat detection, officials announced on Thursday (June 26). The Aviation Police Bureau (APB, 航空警察局), Taiwan's specialized law enforcement agency for airport security, has successfully tested an innovative artificial intelligence system designed to analyze X-ray images of passenger baggage. The technology, developed in partnership with several research institutions, aims to revolutionize how security personnel identify potential threats by integrating advanced image recognition algorithms into existing X-ray screening equipment.
APB Commissioner Liao Heng-yu (廖恆裕) underscored the critical need for technological advancement in security protocols during the announcement. "We must continuously improve our equipment and techniques to address the growing diversity of hazardous materials and new illicit substances entering the market," Commissioner Liao explained. The senior security official described artificial intelligence as an essential supplementary tool for future screening operations, highlighting the bureau's determination to adapt to rapidly evolving security challenges facing international air travel.
Development of the sophisticated screening system began in early 2024, with the current version already capable of identifying an impressive array of prohibited items including lighters, knives, tools, aerosol containers, batteries, firearms, and explosive materials. The technology also demonstrates proficiency in detecting controlled substances such as marijuana and ketamine. Officials revealed an ambitious quarterly update schedule for the AI system that will progressively expand its detection capabilities to include three additional drug categories and ten new dangerous items with each upgrade. These enhancements aim to significantly improve screening accuracy by reducing human error while simultaneously decreasing passenger processing times at security checkpoints. ◼
