How to Add AI to an Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner

In 2023, the emergency department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester detected 1,741 weapons: 79.8% knives, 4% firearms, and 16.2% improvised weapons. In the same year, rogue drone flights over NFL games increased from 2,537 to 2,845. Police recoveries of 3D-printed guns in 20 U.S. cities rose 10x from 2020 to 2024.

This evolving threat landscape shows that security teams must stop far more types of threats than traditional weapons screening was built to detect. They need a screening setup that can detect firearms, explosives, bladed weapons, chemicals, drones, 3D-printed weapons, contraband, vapes, and more.

The good news is that you don’t have to replace your equipment to get there. You can add AI to an existing X-ray baggage scanner without replacing hardware. To make that possible, we’ve launched our A-Series, which includes upgraded AI X-ray screening solutions for faster, more accurate threat detection.

Below, we break down how the upgrade works and what’s new in each solution.

How Does Athena Security’s A-Series Add AI to an Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner

The A-Series is our next-generation lineup of AI X-ray screening solutions. It includes two main components, depending on whether you want to keep your current scanner or upgrade it:

• A-Series AI X-Ray Platform: Our upgraded software adds AI-based threat detection to an existing X-ray baggage scanner, with advanced features like a broader threat library, iPad-based monitoring, automatic X-ray shutoff, etc.
• A-Series AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner: Our first line of proprietary X-ray hardware includes three models (5030, 6550, 7550) for facilities that prefer to upgrade the scanner itself.

Now, lets explore what the platform adds to the scanner you already own and what the A-Series scanner adds if you choose to upgrade.

What Does Our A-Series AI X-Ray Platform Add to Your Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner

Below are the five new key features of our A-Series AI X-Ray Platform:

1. Add AI to Your Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner Without Replacing Hardware
2. Detect a Wider Range of Threats
3. Operate and Monitor Screening from a Single iPad
4. Centralize Threats from Multiple X-Ray Units
5. Contain Threats and Stop X-Ray Exposure Automatically

Let’s discuss each in detail.

1. Add AI to Your Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner Without Replacing Hardware

To add AI to an existing X-ray baggage scanner, you install our A-Series X-ray software on the machine you already have. 

• Add AI to Your Existing X-Ray Equipment: Retrofit our A-Series X-ray software directly on compatible third-party X-ray machines from major manufacturers and upgrade your X-ray screening without full-hardware replacements.
• Upgrade to Our A-Series AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner: Pair the software with our dual-energy X-ray baggage scanners, like the 6550A, for high speed and detection precision.

This installation typically takes 8-12 weeks. The exact integration process depends on the X-ray manufacturer and the availability of their API. If an existing API is unavailable for a particular manufacturer, we can also set up custom integration.

You can also pair this software with our other screening solutions, like the concealed weapons detection system and visitor management system, to unify entry screening into a single operator console.

2. Detect a Wider Range of Threats

Once added to your existing scanner, our A-Series X-ray software gives it an expanded threat library capable of identifying over 80 prohibited item types in real time:

• Firearms, Ammunition & Bladed Weapons: Detect handguns, small-caliber firearms, ammunition, 3D-printed weapons, knives (even ceramic), razor blades, etc.
• Contraband & Vapes: Identify e-cigarettes and vaping devices hidden in backpacks or daily supplies.
• Chemicals & Narcotics: Identify narcotics, pure drugs, and liquid accelerants (such as gasoline or alcohol).
• Explosives & Detonators: Flag gunpowder, detonators, and improvised threat components.
• Specialized Counter-Drone AI: Use custom AI models trained to detect concealed drone parts (including motors, propellers, batteries, and structural electronics).

You can easily configure active threat categories and sensitivity levels in our A-series X-ray software and detect threats most relevant to your environment. Be it a K-12 school, hospital, corporate venue, stadium, or airport.

3. Operate and Monitor Screening from a Single iPad

Our new touch-first iPad interface modernizes your entryway screening compared to legacy X-ray workstations. Here’s how:

• Monitor Screening Remotely: Replace legacy, bolted-down keyboard consoles with an Apple iPad Pro touch interface that you can carry anywhere. This announcement signals a concerted effort by Athena Security to not only better address security screening and reduce delays, but to make it possible in spaces where it may not have been before.

• Zoom in to Examine Threats in Detail: Triple-tap the X-ray feed to crop or zoom into an area while AI analyzes the full image in the background.

The iPad also runs AI threat analysis locally, so that you can detect threats quickly and accurately even during network outages.

4. Centralize Threat Alerts from Multiple X-Ray Units

Our Second Look feature consolidates threat alerts from all X-ray systems on a single iPad or screen. This eliminates the need to station an operator at each unit solely to review alerts.

For example, a U.S. government agency uses a centralized screening setup to monitor alerts from five X-ray scanners on one screen. Their X-ray operator reviews alerts from a central monitoring room inside the facility without requiring security personnel stationed at all five units.

With Second Look, you get the same flexibility to oversee screening operations even from a remote location. When a reviewer identifies a weapon or another suspicious item in a scan, they flag it for on-site security officers to investigate. This lets operators monitor alerts while security personnel focus on incident response.

Here’s a short video demonstrating the same:

5. Contain Threats and Stop X-Ray Exposure Automatically

With our new automated safety shutoff feature, you don’t need to stop the X-ray machine during two high-risk moments manually. The AI automatically acts on your behalf:

• Contain Flagged Bags Inside the X-Ray Scanner: As soon as the system detects a threat inside a bag, the conveyor belt automatically stops and prevents the individual from grabbing the bag.
• Prevent Accidental X-Ray Exposure: The Continuous Presence Monitoring feature automatically shuts down the AI X-ray system if an operator leaves the station. This prevents accidental radiation exposure to nearby visitors.

This allows your security guards to focus on threat evaluation instead of toggling switches or managing equipment.

What Does Upgrading to Our A-Series AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner Add

If you’d rather upgrade the scanner itself than add AI to an existing X-ray baggage scanner, our A-Series AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner comes with two major hardware upgrades. You can now:

1. Link Flagged Bags to the Right Person Quickly
2. Reduce Screening Clutter with a Motorized Conveyor Extension

Let’s quickly explore these two new key features.

1. Link Flagged Bags to the Right Person Quickly

Traditional X-ray baggage scanners only show you what the outside of the bag looks like, not who put it on the conveyor belt. Even if security guards spot a threat on the screen, they are left guessing which person in the crowd owns the bag.

That’s why we’ve added Bag-to-Person Identification to our A-Series X-Ray Baggage Scanners. It links each bag to its owner. As soon as a bag is placed on the belt, the system captures the internal X-ray scan, an external photo of the bag, and a snapshot of the person placing it, then links all three in one record. When a guard gets an alert, they can immediately see whose bag it is and intercept the right individual.

For example, in the image below, you can see three captures together in a single screening record: the bag’s photo, internal contents, and the owner’s face:

Learn More: Why Bag-to-Person Identification During X-Ray Screening Matters.

2. Reduce Screening Clutter with a Motorized Conveyor Extension

Faster X-ray baggage screening often causes bags to exit the tunnel faster than visitors can walk through the metal detector and collect them. As a result, bags stack up at the end of the tunnel, creating clutter or forcing guards to clear the exit table manually.

To prevent this, we offer an optional 3-foot motorized roller conveyor extension (as shown in the image below) that connects directly to either the entry or exit side of the scanner. You can configure it to match the X-ray belt’s direction and speed. This keeps bags moving smoothly without tumbling over each other.

How to Get Started: Add AI to Your Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner in Five Steps

You can add AI to your existing X-ray baggage scanner, or upgrade to our A-Series scanner, through a simple, five-step process:

• Consultation: Schedule a live demo to explore our security solutions and understand how they’d fit your facility’s specific security needs. Our specialists typically respond within 24 hours.
• Security Assessment: Our team conducts an on-site or virtual assessment of your facility’s entry points, traffic patterns, existing X-ray equipment, and system integration.
• Customized Proposal: Based on the security assessment, we’ll share a detailed proposal with ROI projections and DHS compliance documentation.
• Professional Installation: We’ll set up the screening software/hardware during off-hours to prevent disruption.
• Training and Support: Your security team will get hands-on training before go-live, along with 24/7 technical assistance.

Our security solutions have safeguarded leading schools, hospitals, and airports, including Del Valle High School, Lamar Consolidated ISD, Duke Health, Fansciscan Health, and IDA Airport. 

Here’s what Larry Kennedy, Administrative Director for Supply Chains, JRMC, has to say about us:

“It’s been a great experience working with Athena. From the service that it provides to the engagement level that Athena has with us, and Athena’s willingness to work with us to integrate advanced technology with what the security personnel does on a daily basis.”

To evaluate whether your current X-ray machines can be upgraded with AI, schedule a consultation with our specialists today.

Book a free demo below or call us at +1-833-928-4362 to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding AI to an Existing X-Ray Baggage Scanner

As you evaluate whether to add AI to your existing X-ray baggage scanner or upgrade to our A-Series scanner, you may have a few questions. Below, we answer the most common ones.

For questions specific to your facility, you can also call us at +1-833-928-4362.

1. What Safety and Certification Features Are Included in Athena Security’s A-Series AI X-Ray Screening Solutions?

Our A-Series AI X-Ray screening solutions include the following safety and certification features:

• Automated X-Ray Shutoff in the absence of the operator
• Automated X-Ray Tunnel Locking to contain the threat inside
• Low Radiation Leakage that operates well below federal safety thresholds
• FDA-Approved for medical facilities
• CE and ISO Certifications to meet international standards

All our screening solutions are also third-party lab-tested and verified safe for individuals with pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, pregnant women, and children.

2. Does Athena Security Provide Training for Screening Personnel?

Yes, we provide hands-on training so that screening personnel can operate our software and hardware with confidence. This includes:

1. Up to 3 days of in-person training
2. Practical guidance on handling real-time alerts, secondary screening procedures, etc.
3. End-to-end system training covering hardware configuration and software usage
4. Role-based training for security officers, administrators, and leadership

Plus, a dedicated support team is available 24/7 to resolve issues after go-live.

3. Can the A-Series AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner Detect Vapes in My School?

Absolutely! The A-Series X-Ray Scanner can detect vapes in your school through dual-energy imaging and atomic-number analysis. Unlike traditional X-ray baggage scanners that analyze an object’s shape, our scanner evaluates an object’s density and material composition to distinguish between a vape and everyday school supplies.

Here’s a video that demonstrates how our X-ray scanner detects vapes:

Read More: How to Detect Vapes in Schools with AI X-Ray Baggage Scanner

4. Are Athena Security’s A-Series AI X-Ray Screening Solutions PHI-Compliant?

Yes, our A-Series AI X-ray screening solutions are PHI-compliant and built with data minimization by design. They never store any medical records. In fact, our solutions protect patient privacy using end-to-end encryption and automated algorithms that instantly detect and redact any accidentally typed PHI.

We’re also HIPAA-compliant, and we routinely execute Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with healthcare clients.

Learn More: Accidental Disclosure of PHI in Hospital Security Systems

5. Can the AI Be Trained to Recognize New Types of Threat Objects?

Yes, our AI model is dynamic and can be trained to recognize new types of threat objects. You can scan unique items and send the images to our engineering team. We’ll then update and refine your local model to add these objects to your threat library. Operators can also tag objects directly on the iPad interface and automatically send images to the model for training.

Disclaimer: The images have been created using AI-based tools and are intended for illustrative purposes only. They may not accurately represent real individuals, locations, or situations. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.