TSA’s Information Technology (IT) Lift Cell officially launched its Innovation Lab at headquarters last week.
IT is often associated with fixing laptops or troubleshooting issues, but is also responsible for rolling out TSA’s newest technologies. The lab is an extension of IT’s creative and innovative side.
“I know this may look like just a room,” said IT Chief Information Officer Yemi Oshinnaiye in his opening remarks at the ribbon cutting event. “But if you really, really look around, we are changing the way TSA thinks about innovation.”
Lift Cells are a network of innovative thinkers across TSA who focus on issues facing the frontlines and work to create solutions. Since introducing the Innovation Doctrine in 2022, the Lift network has grown into a community of 59 Lift Cells, reaching 318 airports (72% of all airports) and six headquarters program offices.
“The IT Innovation Lab is a tangible space for our IT Lift Cell at headquarters,” said Brooke Mizener, executive advisor for IT. “Different program offices or airport Lift Cells can come into the lab to create and innovate. We have designed the space to be an open, collaborative environment.”
The lab, described by its IT creators as an “Apple Genius Bar meets TSA IT,” is meant to foster creativity to those who use the space. IT plans to host workshops, open hours and Lift Cell meetings for employee brainstorming sessions.
“We aren't shutting the doors on anyone,” said Mizener. “The Innovation Lab is just as much of a beacon of creativity and hope for IT modernization as it is for all TSA. You don't have to be in IT to use the lab. This is an open space for anyone to come in with exciting ideas.”
Standing up the Innovation Lab came at no cost to the agency, and its execution involved a little collaboration to convert a previously underused area. The lab offers a central location for headquarters and field Lift Cells to come together.
“If an airport Lift Cell asks a program office to work together on a problem statement, IT can set up the lab for a Microsoft Teams call and bring the field, program office and IT together,” said David Earle, director of the End User Services Division.
During the lab’s grand opening, TSA Deputy Administrator Holly Canevari sported a pair of Microsoft HoloLens – a mixed reality headset – and tested TSA’s latest capability for the future of frontline work.
The HoloLens allows officers to virtually walk through a situation with an expert, such as a Transportation Security Specialist – Explosives (TSS-E) who is viewing the scene through the ‘eyes’ of the officer. The concept originated from a Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Lift Cell after a TSS-E identified a need to provide their expertise around the clock at checkpoints. The LAX Lift Cell, IT and Training and Development worked together to identify the HoloLens as the answer.
“This is an out-of-the-box solution to a TSA need,” explained Earle. “We didn’t have to invent something; the technology was already available. The HoloLens leverages TSA’s existing infrastructure with Microsoft.”
The prospect of integrating HoloLens at TSA checkpoints demonstrates the possibilities available when using technology and transportation security in tandem.
“In the Lift program, we are connecting airports to airports and airports to headquarters,” said Vanessa Couch, Lift Innovation Program manager. “It’s a forum for airports to share their problems and solutions as well as bring these solutions to the attention of headquarters, who may not know airports are self-solving problems.
“Headquarters needs to know about these solutions, so they can take this knowledge and put these proven products into the next design for an X-ray or the next rollers or the next bins or whatever it is the frontlines need. People need to know their voices have been heard from the highest level down.”
In the lab, employees can work with TSA’s latest artificial intelligence technologies and virtual reality environments or engage with future vendors about possible technologies for the agency. The space also features smart boards, a book sharing library and an IT vending machine, a technology similar to an Amazon smart locker where employees would receive a code, enter it into the system and a locker opens with the items requested inside.
In addition to the awe-inspiring technologies, the Innovation Lab’s main purpose is to serve as a think tank.
“No problem statement is too small for our IT Innovation Lab,” said Mizener. “We want people to have freedom with their thoughts and ideas. For instance, if someone is driving into work and has an ‘ah-ha’ moment, they can come into the lab, put their idea on paper and hang it on the wall where anybody could go in, see that idea and run with it toward a solution.”
By Kimberlyn Pepe, TSA Strategic Communications & Public Affairs