According to recent reports from The Times, the United Kingdom is poised to pioneer the development of a revolutionary concept: the implementation of AI-powered ‘Smart eGates’ at its airports, marking a significant stride towards establishing an “Intelligent Border,” and ushering out the era of traditional physical passports.
Instead, travellers will rely solely on Facial Recognition technology to verify their identity as they cross the border, as FinTech firm FullCircl explains.
The introduction of these ‘Smarter’ eGates represents a progression in the utilisation of biometric data in airport security. While existing eGates decrypt biometric data from the embedded chip in passports, the new Smart eGates will access this information remotely from a centralised database, rendering physical passports redundant.
The UK’s initiative is part of a broader global trend towards enhancing travel processes through biometrics.
In addition to plans in some Australian airports, Dubai International Airport is gearing up to introduce ‘Seamless Travel’, leveraging Biometrics to expedite immigration procedures for residents, with completion times as short as five seconds.
Although the UK may not immediately adopt Facial Recognition technology to the extent of Dubai and other regions, the shift towards passport-less travel is consistent with the country’s growing reliance on biometric Identity Verification (IDV) solutions.
Facial Recognition, based on unique facial measurements, has been integrated into various sectors in the UK for several years, extending beyond law enforcement to encompass consumer services and industry applications.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the acceptance of IDV technologies in the UK, as consumers increasingly embraced remote identity verification solutions during lockdowns.
This trend reflects a broader societal readiness for biometric authentication methods, with over 60% of UK consumers expressing willingness to undergo biometric verification, according to biometricupdate.com.
At FullCircl, they have observed firsthand the evolution of identity verification practices among their clients, including financial institutions and insurance providers.
Many have transitioned to digital onboarding processes incorporating document verification and facial recognition checks, facilitating seamless customer interactions.
As the UK continues to integrate Facial Recognition into daily life, extending its application to airport security represents a natural progression.
By embracing biometric travel solutions, the UK not only aligns with global trends but also sets new standards for efficiency and security in border management.
Read the full article from FullCircl here.
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