The Transportation Security Administration has begun testing a new automated explosives detection system that has the potential to speed up lines at airport security checkpoints.

The automated EDS machine, known as the COBRA, features an automatic function that tries to independently identify threats inside carry-on bags and subsequently instructs transportation security officers to inspect the suspicious items.

The machine, produced by Analogic Corp., then allows screeners to rotate a three-dimensional image of the bag 360 degrees for inspection, virtually unpack its contents and rotate 3-D images of virtually unpacked items. Current X-ray models produce only a two dimensional image that starts from the top of the object and works its way down to the bottom of it.

The idea is to allow passengers to leave all of their belongings — including laptop computers and 3-ounce bottles containing liquids and gels — in their carry-on bags and, if a problem arises, it allows an inspection to happen without opening the bag. Theoretically time would be saved by not forcing airport patrons to dissect their bags before inspection and by not spitting the baggage back out for a closer look when there is a problem.

“If you are on a regular older technology X-ray based system, you are always stopping and starting and backing it up, and that has a huge effect on the throughput of these systems,” said Jim Green, CEO of the Peabody, Mass.-based company. “With ours, you just put it on and it runs through and it gets a full three-dimensional view scan, it gets viewed, and anything inside of it gets segmented and looked at. It is just very efficient and it just marches right through.”

TSA began a pilot program with the system two weeks ago in Cleveland. So far COBRA’s automatic detection and alert features have yet to be tested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, but even without them, the machine is proving to be “very efficient because the operators get a very good, immediate view,” he added. The automated features will begin testing in a couple of weeks.

When that time comes, Analogic could earn itself some new customers.

Registered Traveler businesses over the last several years have struggled to deliver a checkpoint lane to their clients that is free of airport security inconveniences, including removing shoes and laptops.

The program is designed to make travel more convenient for frequent fliers by allowing them to pass through security lanes more expeditiously. In exchange for this privilege, program enrollees have to pay roughly $100, undergo an advance background check and submit biometric identifiers, such as fingerprint and iris images, which are encoded on a program identification card.

However, registered travelers have still had to remove their coats and shoes, take laptops out of bags and show a government-issued ID at checkpoints because technologies have not advanced far enough to sufficiently screen for related dangers.

Steven Brill, CEO of Verified Identity Pass Inc., said his company has already looked into the COBRA technology, but the automated detection feature was still producing too many false alarms to make registered traveler lanes operate more efficiently. But he said the technology is promising and Verified Identity Pass is staying in close touch with Analogic to keep track of its progress.

“It just presents a clearer, better view and it is still fairly expensive, but we’d pay the money for it if you could keep a laptop in your bag,” Brill said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if in six months or a year that is the thing that we are trying to buy for our lanes.”

COBRA costs between $350,000 and $400,000 per unit, depending on the volume ordered.

The pilot program will last 30 to 60 days, said Amy Kudwa, a TSA spokeswoman. The machinery will stay in place after testing is wrapped up so an extended observation can be conducted.

Analogic was integral in developing EDS technologies used to screen checked baggage. TSA has since worked with Analogic and Bedford, Mass.-based Reveal Imaging Technologies Inc. to make automated EDS machines small enough to fit and operate at airport security checkpoints.

The deployment of COBRA at the Cleveland airport marks the first operational test of the technology and additional deployments — of machines produced by both companies — are expected to be announced in the coming weeks and months, Kudwa said.

Matthew M. Johnson can be reached at mjohnson@cq.com.