Too many weapons detection solutions rely on users to adjust their operations to their system’s technical shortcomings. These solutions might market the ability to walk through with laptops and phones, bags and backpacks, however in order to accurately detect all weapons operators and visitors are often required to have to hold these items above their heads, divest them for inspection, or place them on a separate X-ray machine. This introduces a number of new complexities and risks:
- Holding items like laptops above the head demonstrates that they could bypass a system and get weapons into the facility
- Significantly slowed down ingress speeds, defeating the main value of weapons screening solutions
- Increased requirements for security staff to execute secondary bag checks
- Separating individuals from their personal items and potential threats
In many cases schools have taken further steps to adjust to overcome the shortcomings or poor solutions, for example, by banning 3-ring binders in schools. These disruptions prevent individuals from experiencing their day-to-day life naturally, turning security into a source of frustration rather than reassurance.
At Xtract One, we recognized a growing gap in the security landscape. Our SmartGateway system excels in low-volume personal belonging environments like stadiums and event venues, with feature functionality specifically designed for specific markets.
Xtract One identified that schools, corporate offices, convention centers, and other environments where individuals bring medium-volume personal belongings needed a different solution. This realization drove us to develop Xtract One Gateway.
The digital age has transformed what people carry daily. Students bring laptops, and smartphones among their other personal belongings to school. Office workers carry tablets, chargers and various other electronic devices. Even everyday items like water bottles and lunch boxes are increasingly made of metal.
These changes posed significant challenges for existing security systems, including our own SmartGateway in certain environments. Many solutions relied on a technology approach that couldn’t differentiate between harmless personal items like laptops and potential threats in this higher volume of items, resulting in high false alarm rates, long lines, and frustrated individuals.
Recently in the industry, some solution providers have started adding X-ray machines to these environments. However, this approach creates more problems than it solves:
- Twice the systems
- Twice the Footprint
- Interference from the X-ray machine could negatively impact the weapons detection system
- Twice the staffing, training, complexity, and more.
- Slowing down the benefit of fast ingress speed matches the X-ray machine’s slow, stop-and-go pace.
In Summary, this approach “Reinvents schools’ ingress experiences to match airport security line experiences.”
Rather than utilizing existing technology, we saw an opportunity to truly innovate and revolutionize security screening for these environments. Our goal was clear: create a system that maintains high-security standards while respecting individual privacy and enhancing the user experience in these higher item environments.
Gateway embodies this vision. It employs advanced AI and proprietary sensors to not only detect threats but also to classify objects accurately. This technology allows for threat detection without compromising speed or privacy. Users can walk through with their belongings on their person at a natural pace without awkward acrobatics or separate bag checks.
Key Gateway features include:
- True classification of objects, distinguishing between harmless items and potential threats
- Different Bi-directional screening capabilities, for ingress and egress
- Preservation of privacy by eliminating the need for X-ray scanning of personal items and the “whose bag is this?” scenario when bags are separated from their owners
- Maintain a smooth flow for up to 3,000 screenings per hour in a single lane
- Comprehensive security in one integrated system, eliminating the need for multiple devices
We built Gateway with versatility in mind. Its design allows easy integration into existing spaces without major renovations or increases to square footage available. The system’s flexibility extends to its functionality, with features like (re-)movable displays. Security personnel no longer need to constantly switch their awareness between multiple screens or lines. The Gateway screen can be detached and carried where needed, allowing staff to maintain focus on people rather than equipment.
Our commitment to continuous improvement and genuine innovation drives ongoing refinement of Gateway’s capabilities. We’re working to reduce false alarm rates further and expand threat detection to include smaller objects.
Xtract One Gateway represents our response to the changing security landscape in environments with medium-volume personal belongings, complementing our SmartGateway solution built for low-volume scenarios. It balances the need for safety with respect for individual dignity and operational efficiency. We remain dedicated to innovating and adapting our technology to meet continued security challenges across different environments.
For more information on Xtract One Gateway, click here.