The WeCu system, which took six years to develop, was designed to alert
authorities to a potential attacker or criminal. Using concealed biometric
sensors, the system measures the subject's physical reactions to such
stimuli as a photograph of a relative.
"For example, a subject could be sitting in a room with other people,
when a photo of one of his relatives flashes on the screen," Givon said. "We
would expect the subject to react differently to that image than the others
do. The reaction could include a more rapid heartbeat, eye fluctuation,
increased blood pressure, etc."
Executives said the system, designed to identify potential suicide
bombers, was meant to replace such methods as profiling, body searches,
baggage checks and dependence on intelligence. They said trained insurgency
operatives have become canny to current methods used at airports.
In January 2010, the Israel Airport Authority unveiled a biometric
system, Unipass, designed to identify suspicious passengers. The system has
been deployed by Israel's El Al airlines.
Executives said WeCu has been demonstrated at several airports this year. They said the company has received grants from the Israeli and U.S.
governments, including the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
In trials, the company reported a 95 percent success rate, alerting
authorities to so-called "persons of interest." Executives said the system
was praised by airport officers for preserving people's privacy and avoiding
disruptions at check-in.
"We have no prior information about the person, and we don't care who he
is, where he comes from, or what he believes," Givon said. "We don't even
keep a data base of reactions, unless of course the subject reacts in a
manner that raises alarm bells."