Dubai to test ObjectTech-developed biometric border control system

UK-based ObjectTech has signed an agreement with Dubai’s Immigration and Visas Department (GDRFA) to test its ‘gate-less’ border technology, which combines biometric verification and blockchain technology.

Once launched, the pilot program will allow passengers travelling to Dubai to walk straight from the plane to baggage reclaim via a short tunnel in which a facial recognition system will conduct a three dimensional scan of the passenger’s face to instantly verify their identity against a digital passport.

ObjectTech was selected in January to participate in the Dubai government’s ‘Dubai Future Accelerator’ program, and has since been working with GDRFA to apply their technology to the country’s main international airport.

For each passenger, the biometric border system generates a digital passport that contains the data currently stored in chips on existing e-passports, as well as includes biometric information such as fingerprints, iris scans and facial recognition.

The finished product, which leverages LIDAR technology, is a system that can recognize passengers in record time while they are still in motion.

The digital passport also protects the privacy of the individual through the creation of a ‘self-sovereign identity’, which ensures that the holder alone has full control of the data.

Using blockchain technology, the solution ensures that the information stored on your digital passport can only be viewed by you and anyone else you specifically permit.

The new digital passports are more secure, harder to counterfeit and more accurate than the existing passport, and most importantly, cannot be lost.

Passengers using the technology will no longer be a required to stop at passport control, which will eliminate long queues at the country’s airports.

The system will also enable people to store more detailed information on their passports in a secure and private way, including financial information, addresses or location data from a mobile phone.

The digital identity system contains data from a wide range of the person’s digital activities, which cannot be faked or altered.

“This is an identity that is fit for the digital age,” said Paul Ferris, cofounder and CEO of ObjectTech. “Not only will it make international travel quicker and safer, but it also gives people back control of their personal digital data, which over the last decade is something that has increasingly become the property of third parties. Dubai is really committed to improving the lives of their citizens and visitors through technology and we’re very excited to be a part of making that a reality.”

ObjectTech is currently pursuing further funding to expand the biometric border project into new markets, both geographically and into new sectors, said Ferris.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  blockchain  |  border security  |  facial recognition