New TSA tech could make airport pat-downs touchless
If you’ve ever had a TSA pat-down at the airport, you know how invasive it can feel. Now, the agency is exploring a hands-off solution that could make airport screening less stressful.
According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information sheet and patent application, the Transportation Security Administration is testing wearable technology that would allow agents to conduct full-body pat-downs virtually — without laying a hand on passengers.
How it works
First reported by 404 Media, the patent describes a system involving haptic feedback suits, gloves or sensors. These tools would register the passenger’s body contours and create a virtual model that agents could “inspect” remotely using a feedback pad.
In diagrams included with the patent, DHS shows a body image with a box labeled “scan imagery obscured due to proximity to private body zone,” indicating efforts to protect visual privacy during screening.
Relief for trauma survivors
The new technology could be a game changer — especially for sexual assault survivors or passengers with sensory sensitivities.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, hundreds of travelers have reported feeling humiliated or traumatized by TSA’s enhanced pat-down policies. Some even compared the experience to past sexual assault.
“This left me feeling quite vulnerable and I started crying once I was past security,” one Reddit user wrote, adding that the incident may have triggered a previous trauma.
Currently, TSA policy requires that pat-downs be conducted by someone of the same sex, and passengers can request a private screening room. But even with these options, some travelers still report feeling violated or distressed.
Where TSA gets the most complaints
A 2024 report from travel site Upgraded Points found that Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) received the highest number of TSA complaints between 2015 and 2023 — approximately 6.83 complaints per 100,000 passengers. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) followed at 5.78 per 100,000.
The complaints range from wait times and staff behavior to issues with screening procedures, highlighting how contentious TSA interactions remain for many travelers.
What’s next for the tech?
While there’s no official timeline for rollout, the DHS notes the virtual inspection system could also be useful for remote medical assessments or to assist people with visual impairments.
According to the U.S. Patent Center, as of May, the applicant has addressed initial examiner concerns. The patent examiner must now decide whether the revisions are sufficient or if more changes are needed.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
