THE PROBLEM: At security checkpoints — from border crossings to maritime borders to airport security lines — detecting concealed individuals poses a difficult challenge. Detection dogs are inconsistent and impractical for long periods. X-ray systems are expensive, pose radiation concerns, and cannot distinguish between cargo and concealed humans. Technology was needed to fill these gaps to ensure the best possible security protocols.

THE SOLUTION: Developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and licensed to Geovox Security (now Geospace Technologies) in 1996, the Heartbeat Detector can pick up a concealed person’s heartbeat, breathing, and associated movements through the frame of a vehicle. The technology uses a proprietary algorithm to provide rapid, non-invasive detection with 99% accuracy. It acts like a giant stethoscope when placed on a vehicle, separating the heartbeat’s rhythm from ground movement and wind to deliver results in 10 seconds — regardless of the type of materials surrounding a concealed person. In 2025, thanks to advancements in technology like cloud functionality, the Heartbeat Detector was redesigned to be smaller and offer enhanced features at a much lower cost. The technology also adds SMS alert features, eliminates bulky equipment requirements, automates accountability software, and accelerates diagnostic testing.

THE TECH TRANSFER MECHANISM: This is a story about sustained collaboration over multiple decades and adaptability while maintaining mission impact. In 1996, ORNL originally licensed the technology’s algorithm to Geovox, marking the beginning of a relationship that has spanned 30 years and evolved through 12 separate agreements. In fact, the agreements have outlasted the term of the original patent as the relationship continues under a copyright license. When it became apparent in 2023 that component obsolescence threatened the product’s viability, ORNL accepted shared risk in restructuring the license that allowed the technology and Geovox to grow with market demands by reducing guaranteed minimums and per-unit royalty rates, opting for terms that encouraged societal benefit through wider deployment.

THE IMPACT: The Heartbeat Detector addresses human trafficking, prevents prison escapes, secures nuclear facilities, and protects military installations. It is fast, accurate, portable, non-invasive, and affordable, making it the industry standard across four continents and more than a dozen countries, protecting both citizens and critical infrastructure. It has become the worldwide standard for concealed passenger detection, protecting millions of people across critical security domains.