Artificial Intelligence vs. Security Gates: A Strategic Alliance to Combat Theft

Comparison between a traditional security gantry and an AI system detecting suspicious behavior in a store.
Comparison between a traditional security gantry and an AI system detecting suspicious behavior in a store.

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In a context where losses due to theft heavily impact retailers' profitability, it becomes essential to adopt security solutions that are both preventive, intelligent, and predictive . For a long time, security gates have been the main barrier against unauthorized merchandise exits. But today, artificial intelligence brings a new dimension to loss prevention.


🚪 Gates: Reactive but Limited Protection

Security gates play an important role: they detect undeactivated or stolen items at the point of exit . They are visible, easy for customers to understand, and constitute an effective form of deterrence. However, their effectiveness relies on the presence of correctly placed tags or anti-theft devices, and they intervene only at the end of the process , once the act of theft has already occurred.

In other words, gates are useful but act as a last resort. They do not allow for the early detection of suspicious behavior nor do they prevent losses inside the store.


AI: A Proactive Vision of Security

Artificial intelligence, and particularly video-assisted suspicious gesture detection , allows for a radically different approach. Thanks to real-time analysis algorithms, AI can identify atypical or suspicious behaviors (such as concealment gestures, unusual movements, or abnormal interactions with products) long before the customer reaches the exit.

This type of technology, like that offered by Oxania , offers several advantages:

  • Upstream prevention : incidents can be detected before they actually occur.
  • 🎯 Fewer unnecessary interventions : AI reduces false alarms by focusing on significant gestures.
  • 👥 Preserved customer experience : no feeling of intrusion, as the technology is discreet and non-invasive.
  • 📊 Advanced analytics : collected data allows for continuous optimization of devices.


🔗 Intelligent Complementarity for 360° Protection

Rather than choosing between gates and AI, retailers have every interest in combining these two solutions . AI acts as a suspicious gesture radar inside the store, capable of spotting abnormal situations in real-time, while gates provide a last line of defense at the exit.

Together, they form a complete and coherent strategy:

  • 🛒 In a supermarket, AI can detect suspicious behavior in the aisles, while the gate validates the exit.
  • 🧴 In a pharmacy, AI monitors sensitive areas (cosmetics, medicines), where gates cannot do anything.
  • 🔧 In a DIY store, AI tracks movements in high-value aisles, while gates filter items equipped with RFID tags.


🚀 Conclusion: For Modern Security, Let's Bet on Intelligence

Gates have proven their worth, but the future of in-store security relies on an intelligent, anticipatory, and complementary approach . The integration of AI allows retailers to significantly reduce losses , while offering a fluid and respectful customer experience .

Oxania supports retailers in this transition towards augmented security, combining the power of artificial intelligence with existing systems. A modern, balanced, and effective vision to meet tomorrow's challenges.

Together, let's make a difference