Athena Security Launches Apollo 500 Weapons Detection

Athena Security has announced the launch of Apollo 500, a next-generation weapons detection system designed to pinpoint the exact location of a suspected weapon or prohibited item on a person or in their belongings.

Security teams are increasingly required to determine not only whether a threat exists, but precisely where it is located. Many existing screening systems rely on generalized alerts that require interpretation, often resulting in delays, manual searches, and inconsistent outcomes.

Apollo 500 addresses this challenge by delivering precise, real-time visual location indicators that guide operators directly to the position of a potential threat, improving response speed and decision accuracy in high-traffic environments such as hospitals, schools, and public facilities.

The system represents a significant advancement in threat-detection workflow. Instead of ambiguous alerts, Apollo 500 uses precision red-box indicators to visually identify whether a suspected weapon is located on the arms, legs, waistline, backpack, purse, or another carried item.

“In high-traffic environments, every second counts—and uncertainty slows teams down,” states Lisa Falzone, Co-Founder and President of Athena Security.

“Apollo 500 brings clarity to the screening process by giving operators precise, visual, and immediate intelligence. When security teams know exactly where to look, they can respond faster, reduce friction, and keep lines moving safely and efficiently.”

Industry guidance from ASIS International highlights that non-specific alert zones increase operator workload and lead to inconsistent secondary screening decisions, slowing visitor flow. Apollo 500 directly addresses this issue by reducing cognitive load and enabling faster, more consistent threat resolution.

“Traditional systems give you a general alert. Apollo tells you exactly where to look,” says Chris Ciabarra, Co-Founder and CTO/Chief AI Officer of Athena Security. “We designed the Apollo 500 to eliminate confusion at the very moment decisions matter most. When operators can instantly see where a threat is located, accuracy goes up, search times go down, and the entire screening process becomes safer for everyone.”

While no weapons detection system operates with complete accuracy, solutions such as Apollo 500 and AI-enabled X-ray technologies help organizations achieve higher levels of speed, clarity, and operational confidence.

By adopting tools designed for real-world environments, security teams can reduce uncertainty and create safer facilities for staff and visitors.