NEC biometric tech selected for Narita Airport’s curb-to-gate identification automation system

Mar 13, 2019 | Stephen Mayhew

NEC will provide its NeoFace facial recognition AI engine for the new biometric check-in to boarding system being introduced by Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA). ‘One ID’ is expected to begin its operation from spring 2020.

‘One ID’ will enable passengers at Narita Airport to register facial images during check-in, and if the images match within a database of passport photos, they can advance through baggage drop-off, passenger security screening entrance and boarding without presenting boarding passes and passports. It is expected that passengers will be able to board more smoothly, with fewer repetitive processes and with less time waiting in line.

According to the announcement, this system, the first of its type in Japan, will enhance the accuracy of recognizing individuals for each identification procedure, enable more thorough safety and security measures and enhance the efficiency of operations by automating identification procedures.

NeoFace belongs to NEC’s portfolio of advanced biometric authentication technologies, Bio-IDiom.

Last month NEC announced the development of what it calls “Person Re-identification Technology” that is capable of matching images of people whose figures are partially hidden from cameras, even if the image is taken from behind or from the side.

NEC Corporation President and CEO Takashi Niino recently weighed in on the regulation of facial recognition debate and urged greater biometrics industry dialogue and collaboration.