Working alongside the Department for Transport and the UK Home Office tech company UtterBerry plan to implement its new innovation across British hubs from next year

London based tech firm, UtterBerry has developed new smart security trays with the support of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Home Office as UK airports begin to welcome back passengers.

The initiative is set to be rolled out at major airports within the region from next year, with initial interest being shown in Northern Europe and Far East countries.

Work begun on developing the smart trays in July 2020 as part of the Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme – the joint venture between the DfT and Home Office – which has a total of £25.2m of funding to invest in aviation security innovations over the next five years.

Robert Courts, aviation minister, said: “It’s my ambition for the UK to be the best place in the world for aviation and technology, and improving passenger experiences when travelling will help us achieve this.

“UtterBerry’s work to enhance security trays, will not only increase security at the border but make airport checks quicker and easier for passengers.”

According to the firm, there has been a 47% reduction in airline baggage losses over the past decade due to the implementation of improved safety innovations. It is hoped that the new product will lower this figure further by providing a link between the passenger, tray and baggage whilst passing through security.

Incorporating machine learning, artificial intelligence and miniaturising hardware, the new technology is set to provide a real-time interface and basic information on travellers being checked.

The improved platform can also display an analysis of customer throughput alongside the contributing factors to delays – including time of year, weather conditions and flight times.

“As a DASA Innovation Partner, I was delighted to identify this gem of an idea and guide them through the DASA process - where expert technical assessors and the Department for Transport agreed and funded its development,” said Ralph Wilkins, innovation partner, DASA.

“That they are now demonstrating its value to passenger security with two major airports shows how setting challenges and providing funding for ambitious technical developments can advance technology and help keep people safe.” 

Martyn Fltecher, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) scientist, added: “This technology is a grand step in associating a person, and their belongings, with the tray they use in an airport hand-baggage security setting. Having such a capability will mean security personnel can instantly determine who put a suspicious object into a tray and so minimising disruption for the public as they prepare to board their planes.”

Data collected via the smart tray system also helps predict passenger numbers, enabling staffing levels to be monitored with more accuracy.

Travellers are issued with a ‘smart card’ which is able to store their basic details and flight information or alternatively they are able to use a mobile app. The card reader on the technology can then link the customer with the tray.