Gov Business Review: Specials Magazine

Security checkpoints often force facility operators to weigh security against the experience they want people to have at the door. Traditional metal detectors can flag everyday belongings, while bag searches can slow the flow of people and add to staffing demands. Xtract One addresses the problem at the point where security and convenience meet. Its AI and proprietary sensors identify specific threat objects instead of simply reacting to the presence of metal. Visitors can keep their belongings with them as they pass through, and security staff can focus their attention on alerts that indicate a potential threat. Its technology looks at characteristics such as an object’s size, shape and material. That allows it to distinguish ordinary items from potential weapons, including firearms and bladed weapons, instead of treating a laptop, phone or set of keys the same way as a weapon. Xtract One Gateway is at the center of this approach. It uses proprietary sensors and AI trained through thousands of walkthroughs to classify objects. People can carry laptops, binders, chargers and other personal belongings through the checkpoint without placing them on conveyor belts or in divestment bins. When the system identifies a potential threat, its interface shows security personnel the type and location of the alert, giving them specific information for secondary screening. The difference becomes especially noticeable at busy entrances, where hundreds of people may arrive within a short period. Gateway can screen up to 3,000 individuals per hour per lane, helping keep people moving through the entrance without unnecessary stops. Security personnel can then concentrate on alerts that need attention instead of repeatedly checking everyday metal items. Designing Security Around the Environment Xtract One offers two gateway configurations to suit different entrances and visitor flows. Gateway is designed for settings where people arrive carrying a moderate amount of personal belongings, while SmartGateway is built for busy venues such as stadiums and ticketed attractions, where large numbers of people need to move through quickly.