How Raven Controls are evolving event safety management standards

When fans pour through stadium gates or concert turnstiles, safety should feel effortless, it should just be a part of the experience, not an obstacle. Yet for decades, long queues, bag checks, and metal detectors have become a negative expectation in the entry process. 

Now, a Canadian company is rewriting that narrative. Xtract One, a leader in AI-driven threat detection, is transforming how venues protect guests, staff, and assets, all without slowing down the flow to the entrance. Its technology replaces traditional screening with intelligent, non-invasive systems that quietly identify potential threats while allowing thousands of people to enter freely and safely.

The company’s approach represents a broader shift in venue design, one where the emphasis is not only on safety but also on experience. For most large-scale events, traditional walk-through metal detectors and manual bag checks remain the standard. 

While effective in principle, these systems come with major drawbacks: they’re slow, intrusive, and labour-intensive. Queues stretch, tempers flare, and staff must constantly juggle responsibilities with hospitality.

Beyond inconvenience, these methods often generate inconsistent results. Human error such as fatigue, distraction, or simple oversight can compromise security effectiveness. As well as traditional systems detect metal rather than weapons, they trigger frequent false alarms, forcing staff to conduct additional searches that delay entry even more.

In an industry increasingly focused on fan experience and efficiency, these limitations are a major setback. Venue operators are looking for ways to protect guests without sacrificing the atmosphere they’ve worked hard to create.

That’s where Xtract One steps in. Using a combination of AI, sensor fusion, and machine learning, the company’s platform including SmartGateway and Xtract One View replaces reactive detection with intelligent analysis. 

Instead of sounding alarms for every metallic object, it interprets data in real time to differentiate between harmless personal items and true security threats like firearms or knives.

Through Xtract One View, operators can oversee multiple entry points, or even multiple venues all from a single platform. Data analytics track traffic flow, identify bottlenecks, and measure system performance, turning what was once a slow and tedious process into a source of operational insight.

The benefits are already being realised in high-profile venues across North America.

At the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Xtract One’s system has helped streamline guest entry for concerts, basketball games, and university events. 

The arena reports shorter wait times, reduced staffing requirements, and a more relaxed atmosphere at the gates, making the product a win for both security teams and fans.

At Kia Georgia, the company’s screening solutions have been integrated into the automaker’s manufacturing facility, proving their versatility beyond entertainment venues. 

The technology’s adaptability to outdoor conditions and architectural design means it can blend seamlessly with different environments, from industrial campuses to stadium forecourts.

These implementations underscore the same principle that security doesn’t need to be visible to be effective. By combining intelligence with efficiency, Xtract One delivers peace of mind without performance trade-offs.

The global demand for smarter, safer, and faster security has never been greater. Stadiums, concert halls, convention centres, and even schools are facing mounting pressure to manage large crowds without creating stress or congestion. In Australia, a nation renowned for its sports and live events, the potential is particularly significant.

Major hubs like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane continue to host world-class tournaments, concerts, and cultural festivals. Venues in these cities are increasingly focused on improving fan experience from the moment of arrival. 

As such, the adoption of AI-enhanced screening could become a key differentiator, helping local facilities align with international best practice while maintaining the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere Australian fans expect.

Furthermore, with sustainability and operational efficiency high on the agenda, AI-based systems offer long-term cost savings. By reducing the manpower needed for manual checks and cutting false-positive interruptions, Xtract One’s platform supports both financial and environmental goals, fewer lines, less energy consumption, and better use of human resources.

What makes Xtract One stand out isn’t just its technology, it’s the philosophy behind it. The company envisions a world where security enhances, rather than hinders, public experience.

Their tagline, “Security that feels invisible,” reflects a deeper commitment to human-centred design.

As venue operators look to the future, the shift toward AI-driven protection will likely define the next decade of infrastructure investment. The move reflects earlier transformations in lighting, turf management, and digital ticketing, each a step toward smarter, more connected venues.

Xtract One’s momentum signals a broader industry evolution. As crowd sizes increase and expectations for safety rise, the ability to combine precision, privacy, and performance will separate world-class venues from the rest.

Conclusion

Whilst Melbourne Victory and the APL have thrown ideas and concepts around improving safety at the gates of matches in the A-League, it has yet to be implemented on a full scale despite the government hiring hundreds of officers to patrol the matches at night fixtures.

Xtract One is a new and proven technology that could be outsourced across all the major footballing venues in the country, making security seamless and more effective for larger crowds. One to keep an eye on for the future of sporting events across Australia, even beyond football.