Face it — times are changing.
Facial recognition technology will soon be enabled at every security checkpoint inside Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport — a worldwide first, CNN reported.
The Smart Travel project, currently being implemented contained in the futuristic flight hub serving the capital of the rich United Arab Emirates, will replace the normal screening process — and the whipping out of travel documents, like a passport or ID card.
The potential will reportedly even be implemented at duty-free shops, lounges and boarding gates as well.
The goal is to have the biometric concept — which has courted controversy in america — fully running in 2025 at nine locations.
Some parts of the airport have already incorporated the tech, as has Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s hometown carrier.
“It’s designed with no pre-enrollment required, passengers are routinely recognized and authenticated as they move through the airport, significantly speeding up your complete process,” said the airport’s chief information officer Andrew Murphy.
He bragged about its traffic-altering capabilities.
“Individuals are reporting going from the curb into the retail area or to the gate in lower than quarter-hour,” the spokesperson stated.
“To have the ability to maneuver through an airport of that size in only a matter of minutes is absolutely groundbreaking,” he added.
Last yr, a survey from the International Air Transport Association found that 75% of surveyed passengers supported the initiative to maneuver towards biometric identification.
Within the U.S., where the TSA announced a planned rollout in greater than 400 American airports, backlash over the concept has largely been related to privacy concerns.
“The TSA program is a precursor to a full-blown national surveillance state,” Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.
“Nothing might be more damaging to our national values of privacy and freedom. No government needs to be trusted with this power.”
In Abu Dhabi, people can reportedly still go for traditional scans.
Face it — times are changing.
Facial recognition technology will soon be enabled at every security checkpoint inside Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport — a worldwide first, CNN reported.
The Smart Travel project, currently being implemented contained in the futuristic flight hub serving the capital of the rich United Arab Emirates, will replace the normal screening process — and the whipping out of travel documents, like a passport or ID card.
The potential will reportedly even be implemented at duty-free shops, lounges and boarding gates as well.
The goal is to have the biometric concept — which has courted controversy in america — fully running in 2025 at nine locations.
Some parts of the airport have already incorporated the tech, as has Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s hometown carrier.
“It’s designed with no pre-enrollment required, passengers are routinely recognized and authenticated as they move through the airport, significantly speeding up your complete process,” said the airport’s chief information officer Andrew Murphy.
He bragged about its traffic-altering capabilities.
“Individuals are reporting going from the curb into the retail area or to the gate in lower than quarter-hour,” the spokesperson stated.
“To have the ability to maneuver through an airport of that size in only a matter of minutes is absolutely groundbreaking,” he added.
Last yr, a survey from the International Air Transport Association found that 75% of surveyed passengers supported the initiative to maneuver towards biometric identification.
Within the U.S., where the TSA announced a planned rollout in greater than 400 American airports, backlash over the concept has largely been related to privacy concerns.
“The TSA program is a precursor to a full-blown national surveillance state,” Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.
“Nothing might be more damaging to our national values of privacy and freedom. No government needs to be trusted with this power.”
In Abu Dhabi, people can reportedly still go for traditional scans.
