TORONTO — Xtract One Technologies today announced its Xtract One SmartGateway system has been selected by the British Museum to protect all venue entrances following extensive on-site testing and evaluation.
The British Museum, one of the world’s most recognized cultural institutions and home to historically significant objects, including the Rosetta Stone, chose SmartGateway to “meet rigorous protection standards while providing seamless ingress and flexible operations,” according to the company announcement.
Testing results showed SmartGateway “delivered materially improved detection performance and ingress processing speed than prior screening methods – up to three times faster with peak throughput reaching approximately 750 people per 15-minute interval per lane,” the announcement says.
The system’s portable design “also demonstrated adjustable perimeter placement, enabling security teams to expand or contract screening zones based on threat levels, event profiles and visitor volume – all important criteria for one of the world’s most visited museums,” according to the Xtract One announcement.
Why Did the British Museum Select Xtract One Security?
Xtract One SmartGateway is an artificial intelligence-powered weapons detection system designed for high-traffic, security-sensitive environments. Using advanced AI-powered multi-sensor technology, the system identifies weapons and prohibited items without requiring guests to stop or remove personal belongings.
Its modular and portable design “allows venues to expand or reposition security perimeters as needed, while its streamlined physical footprint supports architecturally important locations,” according to the company announcement. SmartGateway “enables security teams to increase detection performance, reduce congestion, and maintain a smooth, welcoming visitor experience.”
The British Museum’s selection of Xtract One SmartGateway “reflects a broader shift among major cultural institutions toward technology-enabled screening that strengthens security while maintaining high-throughput visitor flow,” the company announcement says.
“Institutions of this scale and cultural importance require security solutions that demonstrate measurable performance improvement including safer environments and an efficient, seamless guest experience,” says Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One, in the company announcement.
“SmartGateway showed clear gains in detection capability and throughput during evaluation, showcasing its power and flexibility,” he says. “We are proud to support the British Museum with technology that enhances protection while preserving an efficient, welcoming entry experience for visitors.”
“Protecting a site of this size and significance demands a track record of efficiency and operational flexibility,” says Jack Bennett, head of operations at the British Museum, in the Xtract One announcement. “We have an ongoing commitment to improve the visitor welcome for the 6.5 million visitors who come through our doors each year.
“The introduction of SmartGateway’s high-footfall security technology will help us to create a more efficient entry process. It will minimize queues as much as possible, while improving our security searches in line with regulations. It’s a helpful step, and comes before our planned new visitor welcome pavilions,” he says.
