As the fear of mass shootings increases, the rate of innovation to solve our concerns follows suit. After years of worrying about school shootings, the district has found its answer, the Evolv detection system, or known around the campus as the metal detectors. They are used to screen students before they enter the school and to prevent them from bringing dangerous weapons onto campus. But what is Evolv, and how do these sensors work?
Since 2013, Evolv has devoted itself to creating safety detection systems. Now their breakthrough is the Evolv Express, which allows students to be quickly screened and checked, without obstructing school entrances. Evolv’s sensors are so trusted that government agencies use them, including the CIA and the Secret Service. This is because of their trusted performance, backed by several third-party tests to review these sensors.
The Evolv Express emits a low magnetic field around the student, which can detect any trace metal that could link to a weapon. Then, using AI systems, the possible harmful weapons are located and surrounded by a digital red box. Evolv asserts that while they may detect the illegal objects, it still requires security to remove them from the premises. Evolv is dedicated to this partnership between technology and security.
Since Evolv Express uses AI to detect illegal objects, the contraband search is always improving. As with each software update, the Evolv Express will evolve to detect new threats.
Evolv Express is very popular among schools because it offers different restriction settings. This allows schools to make trade-offs. For example, choosing a higher detection rate would slow down the system but make it more accurate. At our school, we have it in one of the lowest possible settings.
Interviewing Nate Myles, a security guard, it is clear what value the Evolv Express provides. Myles states that the metal detectors are solely weapons detectors that, overall, help the school, so students shouldn’t worry about them, and that our campus is safer.
Myles also had some advice for students. If students are annoyed by constant scanning and searching, he recommends removing the item being detected from their backpack and holding it in their hand. The Evolv Express is advanced enough to detect the specific area where the contraband is, allowing security to check only what they are holding, not their backpack. This removes the need for a whole backpack search and speeds up the process.
While the Evolv Express is a new addition to our school, third-party testing and government agencies have confirmed that it is an essential component of security. A system that can detect any contraband, from knives to guns, and is constantly evolving, while being perfect for a school walk-in search.
