British Museum adopts AI weapons screening at entries

Xtract One Technologies has secured a deal with the British Museum to deploy its SmartGateway weapons detection system across all venue entrances following on-site testing.

The museum selected SmartGateway after an evaluation that compared detection performance and throughput with existing screening approaches. The British Museum is one of the UK's highest-profile visitor attractions and holds collections that include the Rosetta Stone.

Testing results

Xtract One said trials showed faster processing times than previous screening methods. Throughput reached about 750 people per 15-minute interval per lane at peak-up to three times faster than the museum's prior approach.

The company also reported improved detection performance during testing, but did not provide a percentage or baseline metric. It described the deployment as part of a wider shift among cultural institutions toward screening systems that improve security while maintaining visitor flow.

Operational changes

SmartGateway is designed to be modular and portable. The museum's security teams can adjust screening perimeter placement and resize screening zones in response to threat levels, event profiles, and visitor volumes.

Xtract One also positioned the product for sites where physical constraints and aesthetics matter, citing a streamlined footprint intended to suit architecturally sensitive locations.

How it works

SmartGateway is an AI-powered weapons detection system for high-traffic settings. It uses multi-sensor technology to identify weapons and prohibited items, and does not require visitors to stop or remove personal belongings.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Xtract One also did not specify how many lanes will be installed, or how the system will integrate with staffing and secondary screening processes at the site.

Peter Evans, chief executive officer of Xtract One, said the evaluation showed measurable improvements in performance.

"Institutions of this scale and cultural importance require security solutions that demonstrate measurable performance improvement including safer environments and an efficient guest experience," Evans said. "SmartGateway showed clear gains in detection capability and throughput during evaluation, showcasing its power and flexibility. We are proud to support the British Museum with technology that enhances protection while preserving an efficient, welcoming entry experience for visitors."

Jack Bennett, head of operations at the British Museum, said the museum prioritised efficacy and flexibility in its assessment.

"Protecting a site of this size and significance demands proven efficacy and operational flexibility," Bennett said. "We were impressed with how SmartGateway demonstrated unrestrained portability and outperformed our previous screening methods, and other tested solutions, threefold during rigorous testing. This flexibility will be integral in our operational efforts to address changing conditions and security needs. The combination of effectiveness, speed, and adaptability made SmartGateway the right choice for our venue."

Customer list

Xtract One said it supplies screening systems to venues and organisations across entertainment, manufacturing, and public-sector environments. It named Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Kia Georgia, Community Health Network, Co-Op Live, hospital locations in Manitoba, and Bowie State University as users of its SmartGateway and Gateway products.

The company said its work has received a SAFETY Act Designation from the US Department of Homeland Security, which relates to technologies used in security and counter-terrorism contexts. It added that its systems support a multi-layered approach to physical security, and noted that no threat detection system is fully effective in every scenario.

For the British Museum, the deployment brings weapons detection technology to entry points in a setting that combines high daily footfall with strict operational requirements. The museum receives millions of visitors each year, and must manage queues across multiple access points and time periods.

SmartGateway will be used across all entrances, with perimeter layouts that can be adjusted based on operating conditions.