Evolv Technology - Experts & Thought Leaders

Evolv Technology, the pioneer in AI-based weapons detection security screening, is proud to unveil the latest innovation in its product portfolio, Evolv Extend™, designed to identify non-concealed (or brandished) guns approaching a venue and expand detection beyond the door. With a focus on delivering critical, timely information to “First Reactors” (those near or operating an Evolv Express® system, which detects concealed weapons), Evolv aims to help empower such professionals to take prompt action to address guns visible to the cameras as they approach a venue. In a world, where every second counts when it comes to gun violence, a swift response is paramount to help reduce the risk of harm. Omnilert Gun Detect Evolv partnered with Omnilert to create Evolv Extend, incorporating Omnilert Gun Detect, their best-in-class AI visual gun detection software. Combining selected 4k resolution security cameras and AI, Evolv Extend analyses high-resolution video streams to help identify brandished guns at distances up to 100 feet, depending on the gun type and orientation. Once a potential threat is detected, a comprehensive image, highlighting the detected gun, along with live, annotated video footage from the relevant camera, is transmitted to the tablet of the onsite security staff, or First Reactors, positioned near the Express system. Evolv partnered with Omnilert to create Evolv Extend, mixing Omnilert Gun Detect, their best-in-class AI visual Additionally, the command centre, broader security team, and first responders receive the same image with a recorded video clip showing when the gun appeared. The information presented to the user enables them to quickly make a decision and act on it, similar to the user experience with Evolv Express’ “Red Box” image-aided alert. This early warning is designed to help empower security operators to swiftly implement emergency operational procedures, like locking the doors, getting people to safety, and alerting the broader security team. Author's quote "The brandished gun detection technology is right up our alley,” said Kyle Jones, deputy superintendent at Florence 1 Schools in South Carolina. “Evolv continues to be proactive with its products and this technology is exactly what we need to add to our perimeter of defense. We sent various groups through the trial, including a high school marching band and our SROs, and the weapon was detected every time."   “With the introduction of Evolv Extend, Evolv reinforces our commitment to delivering the most innovative security solutions that prioritise rapid response and the safety of people,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology. “By helping enable security teams to detect brandished guns from a distance, Evolv aims to provide the information and tools necessary for security operators to proactively address threats and help protect lives.”

Evolv Technology, the pioneer in AI-based weapons detection security screening, has announced a partnership with Ricoh USA, Inc., one of the largest global service delivery organisations, to expand Evolv’s customer service programme. The partnership comes in support of recent company growth as Evolv continues to partner with venues throughout North America to help create safer places for people to live, work, learn, and play.   Support and service partnership With an increasing customer base reflecting the demand for Evolv’s advanced screening solution, Evolv remains dedicated to world-class service to meet customer needs. The new support and service partnership will leverage Ricoh’s well-established and comprehensive Service Advantage programme to extend Evolv’s coverage, capacity, and capability to provide better, faster service for the more than 600 current customers and future venues secured by Evolv.    Benefits Key benefits of the expanded customer service and support program include: Increased Field Service Resources: The partnership will provide an increased workforce of highly trained field engineers to eventually include nearly 250 Ricoh technicians located throughout the United States. This will provide faster enablement of resources to customers for break-fix and preventative maintenance services.  Expanded Technical Support Desk: Evolv’s 24x7 help desk will be staffed with trained technical engineers who can provide meaningful first response/Level 1 technical support from the moment of the first phone call. Over time, this team will graduate to also provide Level 2 support. Expedited Parts: In the coming months, Evolv will expand the number of locations around the country where parts are stored, enabling faster delivery.  Customer-centric Ricoh’s service delivery and programme management capabilities will enable Evolv to more rapidly scale" “Like Evolv, Ricoh is a customer-centric organisation. We fully expect that as the partnership matures, the breadth and depth of our combined expertise will deliver incredible value to our customer base,” said Betsy Fallon, vice president of customer experience at Evolv.  “Ricoh’s service delivery and programme management capabilities will enable Evolv to more rapidly scale throughout North America and better tackle the growing concerns and challenges around public safety,” said Jim Kirby, vice president, of Service Advantage, Ricoh USA, Inc.”  RICOH Service Advantage RICOH Service Advantage is a lifecycle management solution for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of electronic technologies. Ricoh designs service maintenance programmes such as this custom customer service and support solution for Evolv for high-quality automated equipment resulting in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved production workflows for partners and their end-users. Evolv’s weapons detection systems, which screen approximately one million people per day, are currently deployed at over 600 customer venues worldwide, including leading theme parks, sports stadiums, arenas, performing arts centres, industrial workplaces, hospitals, and schools.

Evolv Technology, the pioneer in AI-based weapons detection security screening, is partnering with venues in 45 U.S. states as well as Puerto Rico, as security professionals from sports stadiums and theme parks to schools and hospitals integrate advanced weapons screening technology into their layers of safety planning. The Company more than doubled its customer base in 2022, working towards its mission of making the world a safer place for people to live, learn, work, and play. Innovative safety solutions  “We have now screened over half a billion visitors, reflecting our rapidly expanding customer base in healthcare, education, and industrial workplaces,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology. “We are committed to providing innovative solutions for our customers, and to serving as partners in their safety operations.  And, we are driven to continue to improve.”  Layered security approach Evolv customers used the Evolv Express® system to tag over 176,000 weapons in 2022 Evolv is helping to make a fundamental difference in venue safety as part of a layered approach to security. To that end, Evolv customers used the Evolv Express® system to tag over 176,000 weapons in 2022 including 93,000 guns and 83,000 knives carried by visitors entering venues (not including those tagged by customers as law enforcement).  Weapon detection In the fourth quarter of 2022 alone, Evolv customers tagged nearly 70,000 weapons including 36,000 guns and 33,000 knives. That’s an average of about 400 guns every single day being stopped from entering venues where weapons are prohibited at the end of last year.  AI, sensor, and analytics  Evolv Express uses AI to instantly distinguish threats from most everyday objects Through a combination of powerful sensor technology, proven AI, and comprehensive analytics, Evolv Express scans for concealed weapons without imposing the negative, inconvenient, or anxiety-inducing procedures that can accompany metal detectors. Evolv Express uses AI to instantly distinguish threats from most everyday objects, such as keys and cellphones, as people walk through the pace of life.  Secondary screening check Unlike metal detectors and their newer upgrades, Evolv Express flags the precise location of a potential threat so that guards can respond more efficiently towards incident resolution rather than requiring invasive and time-consuming procedures such as wanding, body searches, and “yo-yo’ing” an individual through a system until the issue is resolved. “For those who set off an alarm, the secondary screening check is immensely easier and creates much less friction than it did before with the metal detectors,” said Brandon Covert, Haslam Sports Group VP of IT, operator of FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.  Threat verification and remediation We know exactly where the alert is located on the body by seeing it pinpointed on the Evolv Express tablet" "We know exactly where the alert is located on the body by seeing it pinpointed on the Evolv Express tablet, so verification and remediation of the threat are much faster and less invasive."  “Conducting manual security checks was taking up to an hour of time each morning, and it wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience for our students or faculty,” said Mark Laurrie, Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent, adding “Evolv is the best that is out there for schools.”  Non-metal-detector alternatives “I spent a significant amount of time speaking with Evolv customers and dove into how the technology works,” said Otto Benedict, SVP of Facility and Campus Operations at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, one of the dozens of stadiums using Evolv. “We also looked at some other non-metal-detector alternatives. We really did our homework. There was a sense of being overwhelmed by the metal detectors. That is no longer the case with Evolv.”

Timely and important issues in the security marketplace dominated our list of most-clicked-upon articles in 2018. Looking back at the top articles of the year provides a decent summary of how our industry evolved this year, and even offers clues to where we’re headed in 2019. In the world of digital publishing, it’s easy to know what content resonates with the security market: Our readers tell us with their actions; i.e., where they click. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles we posted in 2018 that generated the most page views. They are listed in order here with a brief excerpt. 1. U.S. President Signs Government Ban on Hikvision and Dahua Video Surveillance The ban on government uses, which takes effect ‘not later than one year after … enactment,’ applies not only to future uses of Dahua and Hikvision equipment but also to legacy installations. The bill calls for an assessment of the current presence of the banned technologies and development of a ‘phase-out plan’ to eliminate the equipment from government uses. 2. Motorola Makes a Splash with Avigilon Video Surveillance Acquisition Early clues point to Motorola positioning Avigilon as part of a broader solution, especially in the municipal/safe cities market. The company says the acquisition will enable more safe cities projects and more public-private partnerships between local communities and law enforcement. Motorola sees Avigilon as ‘a natural extension to global public safety and U.S. federal and military’ applications, according to the company. 3. Impact of Data-Driven Smart Cities on Video Surveillance One of the major areas of technology that is going to shift how we interact with our cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). One benefit will be the ability to use video surveillance to analyse data on large crowds at sporting events The IoT already accounts for swaths of technology and devices operating in the background. However, we’re increasingly seeing these come to the forefront of everyday life, as data becomes increasingly critical. Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency 4. CES 2018: Security Technologies Influencing the Consumer Electronics Market Familiar players at security shows also have a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For example, Bosch is highlighting its “Simply. Connected” portfolio of smart city technology to transform security as well as urban mobility, air quality and energy efficiency. Many consumer technologies on display offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for security. Are Panasonic’s 4K OLEDs with HDR10+ format or Sony’s A8F OLED televisions a preview of the future of security control room monitors? 5. SIA Predicts Top Physical Security Trends for 2018 Traditional security providers will focus more on deepening the customer experience and enhancing convenience and service. The rise of IoT also places an emphasis on cybersecurity, and security dealers will react by seeking manufacturers and technology partners with cyber-hardened network-connected devices. 6. High-Speed Visitor Screening Systems Will Improve Soft Target Security The system is more expensive than a metal detector, but about a third the cost of familiar airport body scanners. Labor reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs, but “it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experience,” says Mike Ellenbogen, CEO of Evolv Technology. 7. How to Prevent ATM Jackpotting with Physical and Cyber Security A new crime wave is hitting automated teller machines (ATMs); the common banking appliances are being rigged to spit out their entire cash supplies into a criminal’s waiting hands. The crime is called “ATM jackpotting” and has targeted banking machines located in grocery shops, pharmacies and other locations in Taiwan, Europe, Latin America and, in the last several months, the United States. Rough estimates place the total amount of global losses at up to $60 million. The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve- how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest 8. Why We Need to Look Beyond Technology for Smart City Security Solutions Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. 9. How New Video Surveillance Technology Boosts Airport Security and Operations Employing airport security solutions is a complex situation with myriad government, state and local rules and regulations that need to be addressed while ensuring the comfort needs of passengers. Airport security is further challenged with improving and increasing operational efficiencies, as budgets are always an issue. As an example, security and operational data must be easily shared with other airport departments and local agencies such as police, customs, emergency response and airport operations to drive a more proactive approach across the organisation. 10. The Evolution of Facial Recognition from Body-Cams to Video Surveillance The safety and security world bring a complex problem to solve how to pick out a face in a moving and changing environment and compare it to several faces of interest. “One-to-many” facial recognition is a much harder problem to solve.

Several recent terrorist and mass violence attacks have been directed at soft targets, or relatively unprotected locations where people gather such as outside a music venue or in the unscreened passenger areas at airports. Attacks in public areas have led to the development of new security technologies aimed at protecting soft targets. One company addressing the challenges is Evolv Technology and its Edge automated high-speed personnel screening solution. The system integrates walkthrough firearm and explosive detection for high-throughput protection of events and soft targets.The Edge system has multiple detection sensitivity settings to respond to various threat scenarios Enhanced visitor experience The system seeks to increase security without compromising the ‘customer experience’. People simply walk through single-file – between two 5-foot-tall stanchions. One lane can screen up to 800 people per hour, and the system detects explosives or metallic objects without the need for pat-downs or wands or other invasive procedures. Any personal belongings can remain in visitors’ pockets. A single security guard is needed for each lane to verify any detected threats. “The system combines an improved security posture with a better visitor experience,” says Mike Ellenbogen, CEO of Evolv Technology. “We need to fly and have been trained to be screened at the airport, but we don’t expect to be screened going to see a ball game or a Mozart concert. Evolv recognised a need for a new way to inspect people before they enter these types of facilities. It’s a seamless system that pulls various technologies together. We want to feel safe but without having to sacrifice the quality of the experience.”Screening analytics provide data on the numbers of people screened by time of day and by result The system combines millimetre wave and magnetic field sensors, along with artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning and can incorporate additional data such as biometrics. Known bad actors can be identified using facial recognition. The system has multiple detection sensitivity settings to respond to various threat scenarios. Expanding perimeter protection A security guard provides the human touch by verifying any threats detected by the system. The locations of concealed items are displayed on a photo of the individual using a color-coded box overlay. Screening analytics provide data on the numbers of people screened by time of day and by result. Ellenbogen says the company is working to have the system adopted at entertainment venues, performing arts centres, sports centres, for air and rail transportation, and to protect high-profile government buildings. The Edge system can expand the protected perimeter to a wider area that was previously unprotected. The Edge system can expand the protected perimeter to a wider area that was previously unprotected For example, concert-goers exited the arena of an Ariana Grande concert May 22, 2017, in Manchester, U.K., and entered the surrounding area that was unscreened and unsecured. Placing a user-friendly screening system around a wider perimeter outside the concert venue might have prevented the use of an improvised explosive device in the terrorist attack.Placing a user-friendly screening system around a wider perimeter outside the concert venue might have prevented the use of an improvised explosive device in the terrorist attack Threat mitigation with soft target approach Likewise, a 2016 bombing at the Brussels Airport occurred in the departure hall outside the passenger screening areas. Securing a wider perimeter – for example, screening customers discreetly as they enter the airport building from a parking area – could have provided additional security against such an attack. Ellenbogen confirms Evolv has sold a number of systems to major European airports to screen visitors and passengers as they enter the front door. “Addressing the threat to an airport or train system is different than screening passengers; we are looking for different types of objects and different types of materials. The idea is to be able to detect threats to a venue before they get into the venue.” The soft target approach can also be applied to public buildings, such as courthouses, and used in lieu of more invasive metal detectors and x-ray machines. The portability of the Edge system enables a ‘pop-up’ approach to security – i.e., to relocate the system to address specific or changing security threats easily. The self-contained system only requires a wall plug. Labour reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs but it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experienceImproving security posture at event venues “It’s surprising the level of importance [venue owners] put on the visitor experience,” says Ellenbogen. “They see that their brand starts at the front door. They are eager to find alternative security solutions that come across as more inviting, less imposing, less closed down, less invasive than the solutions they have been using,” he says. “They are driven by a desire to improve the visitor experience as they improve the security posture.” He says current events, including terrorist attacks and mass shootings, drive awareness among venue owners to improve the security of soft targets. “The level of interest is high, and it spikes somewhat when there is a big headline,” Ellenbogen says. He notes that the system is more expensive than a metal detector, but about a third the cost of familiar airport body scanners. Labour reduction (because of faster throughput) can help offset the system costs, but “it’s difficult to quantify the improvement in the visitor experience,” Ellenbogen says.