Los Angeles will be the first city in the US to introduce body scanners in its subway system

No need to stress, Los Angeles commuters, these body scanners won’t slow you down as you rush through the metro.

These advanced scanners, positioned at the base of escalators, will discreetly scan you as you pass by. They detect natural body waves to identify hidden weapons or explosive devices.

In collaboration with LA Metro, the Transportation Security Administration is testing these portable passenger screening devices, and on Tuesday, they revealed that Metro will be the first in the country to integrate them into its public transport system.

“Metro has been a pioneer in testing innovative technologies to address the growing threats to our nation’s public transportation infrastructure,” said Sheila Kuehl, LA County supervisor and Metro Board chairwoman, in a statement.

“This cutting-edge technology will strengthen our proactive safety measures and help us deter potential threats to our system.”

How exactly do these scanners work?

They detect objects that obstruct your body’s natural waves. The scanner can pick up both metallic and non-metallic objects that might be hidden on your person.

“When an object is concealed under clothing or attached to a person, the system’s software detects the blockage of these waves,” according to a news release from LA Metro. “The software then creates generic avatars and highlights the concealed area with a black spot or overlays a color indicator.”

No radiation is emitted, and the scanners do not reveal any anatomical details. This technology has been tested over the past year at the 7th Street/Metro Center Station.

“TSA is proud to have partnered in the evaluation and testing process, which ultimately led to the acquisition of a recommended system designed to detect and prevent potential terrorist threats while ensuring public safety,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in the news release.