In Caracas, American special forces 'saw' through walls. What kind of super technology is this?
Technologies capable of detecting people inside buildings from a distance truly exist and are used by American security forces.
Handheld DePLife radar, which 'sees' through walls. Photo: MIT LL / dhs.gov
A small group of CIA agents, according to reports from The New York Times, began secretly working in Venezuela in August 2025. The publication writes that the agents were able to gather detailed information about Nicolas Maduro's lifestyle and movements. And during the operation to capture him, American special forces reportedly received information about the situation inside buildings — as if they 'saw' through walls.
The technical details of the operation are not officially disclosed, so it is precisely unknown what devices might have been used. One of the most well-known American systems of this type is a development by MIT Lincoln Laboratory called DePLife (Detection of Presence of Life — "Detector of the Presence of Life").
As reported on the website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the first generation of this technology is already being gradually implemented in police departments across the country. It has also been purchased by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The main advantage of DePLife is the ability to obtain valuable information about the situation inside a building without approaching closely and risking lives. The radar is capable of 'looking' through internal partitions and external walls of typical residential buildings. For the police, this can be crucial when apprehending armed criminals or rescuing hostages.
It is reported that the developers have managed to improve their devices. Earlier versions of similar scanners required complete stillness — the operator had to stand motionless or press the device against a wall. New micro-movement compensation algorithms allow the technology to work effectively even when the device is in the hands of a person who is breathing or slightly swaying.
The same algorithm is also used in the compact Tinyrad radar, which is mounted on drones. The system automatically subtracts engine vibrations and wind oscillations, leaving only the useful signal.
Tinyrad drone radar. Photo: MIT LL / dhs.gov
To achieve such accuracy, scientists taught the algorithm to filter out false signals. The devices were tested using metal decoy models that reflect radar waves just as strongly as refrigerators or other household appliances. The radar learned to ignore this 'dead' metal and see only living objects.
It is reported that a drone with radar can hover near a building and almost instantly determine if someone is inside. This is vital not only during shootouts but also for firefighters who need to find victims in smoke-filled rooms where conventional cameras are useless.
The developers do not intend to stop at what has been achieved. The next step will be the creation of algorithms for compensating for 'large movements.' This will allow the radar to produce a clear image even when the drone is flying quickly around an object, and the operator is running towards the building.
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