"Seeking to advance explosive detection equipment, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded $1 million to Synthetik Applied Technologies last week to help it develop machine learning training data for airport security." "Such data simulates human travelers and baggage object models to support the algorithms that make machine learning tick. The Austin, Texas-based Synthetik was selected to participate in phase 2 of the DHS SBIR Program, following the successful demonstration of its Synthetic Data Training for Explosive Detection Machine Learning Algorithms. During the upcoming phase, that technology will be further developed to improve detection and reduce false alarm potential…” "The allure for DHS is a system capable of improving security while minimizing the invasiveness to passengers. Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has also become more attractive as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) tries to find ways to reduce exposure and contact between TSA officers and passengers, without losing operational security in the process…" Read the full article here. Source: DHS awards Synthetik $1M to support machine learning efforts in airport security - By Chris Galford, September 1, 2020. Homeland Preparedness News.