Evolv Technology has partnered with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) to implement its AI-based screening technology at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking the first deployment of the Evolv Express® system in Australia and the largest outside the United States.
This system, which enhances security by efficiently screening visitors, was utilised during the recent Taylor Swift Era’s Tour to help protect nearly 300,000 fans.
Partnership details
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, overseen by the MCC and located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria, will now employ the Evolv Express system across all entry points to enhance visitor safety. The introduction of Evolv was facilitated by Convergint, a provider of security solutions to the MCC, which will integrate Evolv's detection system with its existing video management technology.
The Express system uses advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to distinguish weapons from everyday metal objects, ensuring smoother and safer access for event attendees.
Expert insight
Rey Sumaru, general manager of IT & Innovation at the Melbourne Cricket Club, expressed the club's intention to streamline entry processes, stating, “The technology from Evolv has provided us with a more streamlined entry experience – helping minimise time spent in queue lines for fans, while still providing the safest environment possible.”
Nick Robertson, general manager at Convergint Australia, highlighted the system’s efficacy in managing large crowds that typically congregate shortly before events.
Club leadership
Adoption of Evolv Express followed MCC leaders’ favorable evaluation during a SoFi Stadium visitThe decision to adopt Evolv Express followed the MCC leadership's positive evaluation during a visit to SoFi Stadium in the United States. Following this, Evolv and Convergint expedited the deployment, aiming for operation at the MCG by the end of 2023.
Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology, noted the significance of this expansion, saying, “Evolv is creating a safer world for people to work, learn, and play, and the work we have done alongside Convergint to bring Evolv to a new country – a new continent! – helps us reach even more people worldwide.”
Evolv's growth
Since the launch of Evolv Express, the company has screened over 1 billion individuals across various venues globally. The Melbourne Cricket Club joins numerous sports teams and facilities worldwide, including those in Manchester, England, and across major US leagues like MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS, in employing Evolv's technology to bolster their security measures.
Evolv's safety solutions are also utilised in theme parks, arts centres, casinos, arenas, schools, hospitals, and places of worship, underscoring its commitment to global safety improvement.
Evolv Technology, the foremost security technology company pioneering AI-based screening to create safer experiences, announced its partnership with Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), the largest – and one of the oldest – sports clubs in Australia.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) recently hosted the Taylor Swift Era’s Tour partnering with Evolv to help keep nearly 300,000 fans safe.
Partnership details
The partnership marks the first deployment of Evolv Express®, a detection screening system, in the country. It is also the largest single-stadium deployment of Express outside of the United States. Managed by Melbourne Cricket Club, Melbourne Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. The stadium will use Express systems to screen fans at all of its entry gates.
Melbourne Cricket Club was introduced to Evolv by Convergint, which supplies Melbourne Cricket Ground with its other security technology. Evolv Express uses sensors combined with AI to differentiate between weapons and common metals people carry. At Melbourne Cricket Ground, Express will be integrated with Convergint’s video management system.
Expert insight
“We were looking for a more efficient entry experience for guests coming to the Melbourne Cricket Ground,” said Rey Sumaru, general manager of IT & innovation for the Melbourne Cricket Club. “The technology from Evolv has provided us with a more streamlined entry experience – helping minimise time spent in queues lines for fans, while still providing the safest environment possible.”
“There’s usually a large number of fans approaching the gates at the same time, about 15-to-30 minutes before an event,” said Nick Robertson, general manager, Convergint Australia. “There’s really only one solution that can handle that amount of people in such a short time, and that’s Express.”
Club leadership
Club leadership was made aware of Express through Convergint prior to seeing Express in action at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, earlier last year. Following the visit, Evolv and Convergint worked quickly to have Express in use at Melbourne Cricket Ground by the end of 2023.
“Evolv is creating a safer world for people to work, learn, and play, and the work we have done alongside Convergint to bring Evolv to a new country – a new continent! – helps us reach even more people worldwide,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology.
Evolv's growth
Since the launch of Express, Evolv has screened more than 1 billion people. Melbourne Cricket Club joins a growing list of teams and sports facilities around the world using Evolv for weapons detection as part of their safety posture, from AO Arena in Manchester, England, to stadiums and arenas across the United States in Major League Baseball, the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS.
Evolv’s technology can also be found in leading theme parks, performing arts centers, casinos and arenas in addition to hundreds of schools, hospitals and places of worship. Evolv is committed to making the world a safer place to live, learn, work and play.
