The United Kingdom is working on a new “smart” passport system that would allow travelers to cross the borders without showing a passport.
According to The Times, UK Border Force Director-General Phil Douglas said the “frictionless facial recognition” technology could be trialed as early as this year, upgrading the current e-Gates system to allow travelers to look into a camera instead of presenting a physical passport.
The current e-Gates system already relies on facial recognition, but the new technology would utilize a centralized data system instead of depending on data encrypted on the passport. The updated gates would require that travelers register on a database.
Similar technology has been successfully implemented at Dubai International Airport.
Douglas revealed that an initial trial of the updated facial recognition technology would likely be conducted at “a single airport for a limited number of travelers,” with a procurement scheduled to follow the tests.
In total, upgrading the existing e-Gates would cost an estimated “tens of millions.”
Last month, VisitEngland, issued a new toolkit for travel and tourism businesses in England to increase accessibility and inclusivity as part of the kingdom’s tourism recovery plan, which aims to make it the most accessible country in Europe by 2025.
source: travelpulse.com