Zenoscan - Smart Airport baggage screening

What it does

A unified baggage screening system that scans hand and check-in bags together using AI and CT tech. It reduces queues, prevents item loss, and lets passengers repack if needed; cutting delays, waste, and confusion for smoother airport journeys.

Your inspiration

The idea began with a personal experience one of us had to throw away home-cooked food at airport security, unable to return to check-in without missing the flight. As we spoke to more people, we saw how common this was: repacking on the floor, unclear rules across airports, and valuable items thrown away. It was frustrating, wasteful, and avoidable. We set out to design a system that gives passengers a chance to repack without delaying others making air travel smoother, more fair, and less stressful for everyone.

How it works

Our system allows passengers to scan both check-in and hand luggage together using a compact, curved CT scanner. Bags rotate inside a chamber surrounded by small X-ray sender and receiver panels, producing clearer images with less heat. The scanner combines the X-ray source, controls, and power supply into a single, lightweight unit that can be mounted in any orientation. Passengers place check-in bags on the lower conveyor and hand luggage above. While scanning occurs, boarding passes and RFID tags are printed. If a restricted item is detected, both bags go to a rearranging zone. A screen shows what needs to be fixed, and passengers can move items between bags without discarding anything. Wheel sorters reduce effort while handling luggage. Once ready, they rescan at the press of a button. Cleared check-in bags go to the airline, and hand luggage is collected after security. The system reduces delays, waste, and confusion without holding up others.

Design process

We started with both secondary and primary research studying current airport screening systems and speaking with travelers, airline staff, security personnel, and airport authorities. These conversations highlighted major pain points: long queues caused by one passenger’s error, inconsistent baggage rules across airports, and the frequent need to discard personal belongings. We explored how CT and X-ray systems work through online resources and technical references to understand what’s possible within current scanning technology. We sketched multiple concepts and mapped out how a unified baggage screening experience could function covering everything from passenger flow and system layout to staff roles and repacking scenarios. As the idea developed, we created detailed 3D renders to visualize how the mechanism, user interaction, and infrastructure would work together. We continuously refined these visual models, testing them against real-life airport scenarios such as repacking zones, bottlenecks, or accessibility needs. Each iteration brought us closer to a solution that is grounded in reality, efficient in flow, and adaptable to airports of different scales.

How it is different

Most airport systems screen check-in and hand baggage separately, creating two queues and more chances for mistakes. Our design is unique because it unifies both into one checkpoint using CT scanning, allowing passengers to place both bags at once. It includes a repacking zone where travelers can move items between bags if something is flagged without discarding belongings or delaying others. What sets it apart is its focus on real human behavior. The system gives clear alerts, shows what needs to be fixed, and includes ergonomic features like wheel sorters and a split conveyor for easy handling. It streamlines the entire check-in and security process, cutting wait times and stress. Unlike existing systems, it’s designed for adaptability across airport scales, considers edge-case scenarios, and reduces waste through smarter flow. It brings together technology, empathy, and systems thinking.

Future plans

Our next step is to refine the concept based on expert feedback and develop detailed technical drawings and simulations. We aim to consult with airport and security staff to assess practical challenges and improve the system’s flow. Once validated, we hope to collaborate with industry partners to build a physical prototype and explore testing in controlled environments. The goal is to make airport baggage screening more efficient, user-friendly, and ready for real-world application over time.

Awards