Red Sox Debuting AI Technology To Speed Up Fenway Park Security At Gates

Getting into the ballpark will be much more efficient this season

The Boston Red Sox are implementing new security measures at Fenway Park to open the season -- a new system that will make the fan experience much easier.

Gone are the days of long lines creating a pain point for fans before the words "Play Ball" can be echoed throughout the ballpark. 

The Red Sox have installed Evolv Express into their storied ballpark, a system that aims to replace the slow and outdated metal detector with a more applicable weapons detection device. 

The Evolv Express is "the leader in AI-based frictionless weapons detection" according to Evolv's VP of Sports and Entertainment John Baier. The system uses AI technology to detect devices on your person and can decipher the difference between a phone and a potentially harmful device. 

Red Sox fans will now be able to pass through a machine with their phones, keys and wallets all in their pockets and pass right through assuming no alarms are raised. 

The Evolv Express system can also screen purses and backpacks on your person, although Fenway Park has very specific rules about what you may and may not bring to the ballpark and could require different procedures.

On average 95% of sports fans will be able to walk through at the normal speed of life while about 5% will have to be pulled to the side for a quick scan.

Just a single Evolv Express machine can be used to screen 4,000 people an hour and is said to take just one second per person on average. The system can replace roughly ten metal detectors. 

This system will drastically speed up the lines at Fenway Park and will be debuted Opening Day on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles. 

It should be noted that the Evolv Express has been installed at the most popular gates but the old-fashioned metal detectors remain in certain areas of the ballpark. 

Fans around the Boston area might be familiar with the new system, as they've already been installed at Gillette Stadium. 

There will be many changes on the field this season after a winter full of transactions, but the one most impactful for fans heading to a game will be at the gate. 

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