Evolv's AI Security Scans 4 Billion, Challenges TSA's Scale

WALTHAM, MA – March 09, 2026 – Evolv Technology, a company at the forefront of AI-driven security, has announced a staggering milestone: its systems have screened over four billion people since 2019. The company also made the bold claim that its network of scanners screened more people per day on average in 2025 than the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, signaling a potential shift in how and where Americans encounter advanced security screening.

The announcement positions Evolv's flagship product, Evolv Express, as one of the most widely deployed AI-powered weapons detection technologies in the world. Deployed in over 1,000 customer locations, these systems are becoming an increasingly common sight at the entrances of schools, hospitals, sports stadiums, and houses of worship, fundamentally altering the long-held trade-off between public safety and personal convenience.

“Evolv was founded on the belief that security should work at the pace of life,” said John Kedzierski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Evolv, in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Screening billions of people proves that it’s possible to protect large, dynamic environments while preserving efficiency and a dignified human experience.”

The AI-Powered Gateway

Unlike traditional metal detectors that require visitors to stop, empty their pockets, and sometimes undergo intrusive pat-downs, Evolv Express is a touchless, walk-through system. It uses a combination of advanced sensor technology and proprietary artificial intelligence to differentiate between common personal items like cell phones and keys, and potential threats like firearms and large knives.

The system is designed for high-traffic environments, with the company claiming a single dual-lane system can screen up to 4,000 people per hour—roughly ten times faster than legacy metal detectors. When a potential threat is detected, the system provides a real-time visual alert to security personnel, pinpointing the location of the object on a generic silhouette of the person, which is intended to minimize the need for broad, invasive physical searches.

This technological approach has earned the Evolv Express system a SAFETY Act Designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT), a significant validation that provides liability protections to its users in the event of a terrorist attack.

A New Scale of Security

The four billion-person milestone is a testament to the technology's rapid adoption. However, it is the comparison to the TSA that highlights the scale of its ambition. While Evolv's claim that it surpassed the TSA's daily screening volume in 2025 is based on its own internal data, it points to the massive proliferation of security screening outside of traditional airport environments. It is important to note, however, that official, full-year TSA screening data for 2025 is not yet publicly available for independent verification.

For customers, the proven scale is a key selling point. "With Evolv Express screening this magnitude of people worldwide since launch, it reinforces that Evolv is a solution proven at real scale,” said Ryan Cothran, Director of Safety & Emergency Services for Spartanburg School District Five, a customer quoted in the press release. “We value these kinds of milestones, and the increase of data that comes with them to drive more innovation, as we work to keep students and staff safe while maintaining a welcoming school experience.”

Beyond simple screening, the system integrates with Evolv Insights®, an analytics platform that allows venue operators to monitor traffic flow, detection performance, and other operational trends, enabling them to refine their security posture over time.

Balancing Safety, Speed, and Scrutiny

While the company champions a more "welcoming" and "dignified" screening process, the proliferation of AI-powered surveillance in public spaces is not without scrutiny. The increasing presence of such systems raises important questions about data privacy and the normalization of constant monitoring.

According to Evolv's privacy documentation, the Express system is designed with privacy in mind. The company states it does not use facial recognition or any biometric identifiers. While the system captures images to locate potential threats on a person's body, it claims these images are the only form of potentially personally identifiable information collected and are not associated with an individual's identity. Furthermore, customers have options for data retention and can opt-in to share images for product improvement.

Despite these stated safeguards, the broader integration of AI into public security remains a topic of intense debate among civil liberties advocates. Concerns often center on algorithmic bias, the potential for "function creep" where technology is used for purposes beyond its original intent, and the transparency of the AI models themselves.

The Business of Disruption

Evolv's rapid adoption is mirrored in its strong financial performance. The company (NASDAQ: EVLV) reported a 57% year-over-year revenue increase in the third quarter of 2025, reaching $42.9 million and beating analyst forecasts. It also achieved its fourth consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA, prompting the company to raise its full-year revenue guidance for 2025.

This performance has garnered a positive outlook from market analysts, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" to "Strong Buy" rating on the stock. This positions Evolv as a significant disruptor in the concealed weapon detection market, a space historically dominated by established players like Smiths Detection and Rapiscan Systems. Evolv's focus on a frictionless, AI-driven experience has carved out a distinct and growing niche.

Looking ahead, the company has signaled an important strategic pivot for 2026, transitioning to a direct distribution model. This move is expected to increase annual recurring revenue per unit and improve overall financial metrics. As Evolv continues to expand its footprint, its ability to maintain this growth trajectory while navigating both fierce competition and the evolving public discourse on AI will be a critical test for the security tech innovator.