Rohde & Schwarz has unveiled the QPS Walk500, a new walk-through security scanner designed to deliver fast, reliable screening in high-throughput environments. The system combines advanced millimeter-wave sensing with AI-driven threat detection to help operators enhance security while maintaining the smooth flow of passengers, visitors and staff.
The QPS Walk500 has been developed for locations where large numbers of people must be screened quickly and efficiently without compromising security. While particularly suited to major public venues, the solution is also well positioned for deployment at airports, border crossings, critical infrastructure facilities and transportation hubs, where maintaining passenger and traveller throughput is a constant operational challenge. Rohde & Schwarz notes that its security screening technologies are already used across sectors including aviation, border control and critical infrastructure protection.
Unlike conventional screening systems that often require travellers to stop, divest personal items or remove outer clothing, the QPS Walk500 allows individuals to pass through the checkpoint without interruption. With a processing capability of up to 750 people per hour, the system is designed to reduce congestion while supporting efficient security operations in demanding environments.
At the heart of the system is a combination of millimeter-wave technology and AI-based detection algorithms capable of identifying a broad spectrum of potential threats. The scanner can detect metals, plastics, liquids, granules, ceramics and organic materials, enabling security personnel to identify dangerous items that may not be detected by traditional metal detectors. This capability is particularly relevant for aviation and border-security authorities facing increasingly diverse concealment methods and evolving threat profiles.
The QPS Walk500 automatically highlights the location of suspicious objects on a neutral avatar, allowing operators to conduct targeted secondary inspections only where necessary. This not only improves operational efficiency but can also shorten inspection times and reduce the impact on legitimate travellers and passengers.
An optional hand-masking feature further enhances the user experience by allowing individuals to retain common personal items such as mobile phones, wallets and keys during screening. The result is a faster and more intuitive security process that supports continuous throughput even during peak operating periods.
The scanner’s lightweight and compact design provides a flexible alternative to traditional checkpoint infrastructure. Its open architecture is intended to create a less intrusive screening experience, while visual and audible guidance enables straightforward operation for both security personnel and screened individuals. According to Rohde & Schwarz, the QPS Walk500 expands the company’s QPS Walk portfolio with a compact solution engineered for applications requiring the highest levels of throughput.
As airports, border agencies and critical infrastructure operators seek technologies that can strengthen security without creating bottlenecks, the QPS Walk500 offers a combination of high-speed processing, advanced threat detection and operational flexibility designed to meet the demands of modern access-control and passenger-screening environments.