The Scanners That See Through Bags, Not People

AUSTIN, TX – June 03, 2026 – For anyone who has ever been pulled aside at a security checkpoint, the routine is familiar: the main line of people flows on while you wait, bag in hand, for a manual inspection that feels both tedious and intrusive. It’s a common bottleneck, a point of friction where the pursuit of safety clashes with efficiency and personal space. Now, Austin-based Athena Security believes it has a solution to break this logjam with its new Secondary Screening WDS™, a system that uses advanced imaging radar to look inside a bag without ever opening it.

This launch represents more than just a new gadget; it signals a significant shift in the philosophy of public safety. As organizations from hospitals to schools grapple with how to secure their spaces without turning them into fortresses, technology is being called upon not just to detect threats, but to do so with greater speed, subtlety, and respect for the individual. Athena's new system is a tangible entry in this evolving narrative, aiming to replace the invasive pat-down and bag rummage with a quick, data-driven assessment.

The Anatomy of a Bottleneck

Security checkpoints are designed as funnels, but when a primary system—like a walkthrough metal detector—flags an individual, a secondary bottleneck often forms. This is where the process grinds to a halt. Security officers are left with manual searches, handheld wands, and the painstaking process of emptying and inspecting the contents of a backpack or purse. This not only frustrates the person being screened but also diverts officer attention and slows down overall throughput.

Athena’s solution reimagines this workflow. Instead of stopping the primary line, an individual with an alert is directed to a separate station equipped with the Secondary Screening WDS™. Here, they simply pause between two panels. The system uses non-ionizing Imaging Radar to generate a real-time image of their bag, lower legs, or footwear, which is displayed instantly on an iPad or a larger monitor for the officer to review. The entire process is designed to take seconds.

“How organizations handle secondary screening is becoming just as important as primary screening,” states Chris Ciabarra, Co-Founder and CTO of Athena Security, in the company's announcement. “Many security environments still rely heavily on manual searches, handheld wands, or pulling every item out of a bag. Secondary Screening WDS™ was designed to give officers faster visibility into concealed areas while improving operational flow and reducing unnecessary invasive searches.”

Seeing With Radar

The technology at the heart of this innovation is Imaging Radar. Unlike ionizing radiation used in some medical and security X-rays, the non-ionizing millimeter waves are considered safe for repeated, daily exposure, making the system suitable for sensitive environments like hospitals and schools. This technology’s key advantage is its ability to detect both metallic and, crucially, non-metallic anomalies. In an age of 3D-printed weapons and plastic explosives, this capability moves beyond what traditional metal detectors can offer.

During a scan, an officer can see a live feed that highlights dense objects or suspicious shapes concealed within a backpack or under clothing on the lower legs. If a bag is densely packed, the officer can simply ask the visitor to rotate it, allowing the radar to capture different angles and build a more complete picture. It’s a form of non-invasive inspection that provides a crucial layer of information, helping officers distinguish a harmless laptop from a potential threat without a physical search.

A New Layer in the Security Onion

Athena’s launch is part of a broader industry trend toward integrated, layered security. The market is moving away from standalone devices and toward ecosystems where different technologies work in concert. The Secondary Screening WDS™ is designed to be one such layer, operating alongside walkthrough detectors and AI-powered X-ray scanners—another area where Athena is active. This approach reflects a growing consensus that no single solution is a panacea for security challenges.

Competitors are also innovating in this space. Companies like Evolv Technology and Liberty Defense are deploying their own high-throughput, AI-enhanced screening systems in airports and stadiums, using similar principles of millimeter-wave sensing and data analysis to create a more seamless experience. The common goal is to make security less of an overt disruption and more of an intelligent, ambient process.

This approach hinges on empowering security personnel, not replacing them. “Our vision is human-in-the-loop security enhanced by advanced sensing technologies and AI-assisted workflows,” says Lisa Falzone, Co-Founder and President of Athena Security. “Secondary Screening WDS™ gives officers another tool to make faster and more informed security decisions while maintaining operational efficiency.” The system even includes DHS-informed workflow guidance to help standardize procedures and ensure consistent application across an organization.

The Privacy Question

Of course, any technology that can “see” through objects immediately raises questions of privacy. Proponents of radar-based systems are quick to point out their advantages over traditional video cameras. The imaging data does not produce a photorealistic image of a person’s body; instead, it generates a data-based representation that highlights objects and anomalies, often displayed as a generic avatar or outline. This is a significant distinction and one that developers hope will ease public concern.

However, privacy advocates rightly urge caution. The collection of any data, no matter how anonymized, requires robust protocols for its handling, storage, and deletion. As these systems become more widespread, organizations deploying them will face scrutiny over who has access to the imaging data and how it is protected from misuse or breaches. The tangible difference between a tool that enhances safety and one that enables surveillance often lies in the policies and safeguards that surround it.

For now, the focus is on the immediate benefit: creating safer public spaces that still feel open and welcoming. In a hospital, where a sense of calm is paramount, or a corporate headquarters hosting high-profile clients, the ability to conduct thorough security checks without creating an atmosphere of intimidation is invaluable. By targeting the frustrating and time-consuming process of secondary screening, Athena Security is betting that the most effective innovation is one that makes a tangible difference not only in what it detects, but in the human experience it preserves.