TSA using robots?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and American Airlines say they have the solution to increasingly long wait times at U.S. airports--automation. On Tuesday, TSA announced its new partnership with the legacy carrier to speed up the screening process through several initiatives with new technology, including more CT scanners and automated screening lanes. The automated security lanes, which are currently being tested at Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, could reduce the time travelers spend waiting by as much as 30 percent, says the agency. TSA spokesman Michael McCarthy told the Chicago Tribune that the technology used to screen carry-on luggage has remained relatively stagnant over the past 15 years, save for software upgrades. The automation process should "shave a few seconds from every step"--seconds that add up when screening thousands of passengers. The automated lanes, known as "Smart Lanes" at Hartsfield–Jackson, take up more space than traditional security lines but move luggage through faster.