NEC Details How the Star Alliance Biometrics Platform Can Further Enhance the Travel Experience

“As NEC explains, its I:Delight software can be used to support wayfinding in airports, and could also be used for “Face Pay” purchases at duty-free stores.”

With the Star Alliance Biometrics passenger processing system now in place at the Frankfurt and Munich airports, NEC is offering a few more details about the solution and how it can enhance the travel experience at more airports going forward.

The company’s I:Delight identity platform is being used in the Star Alliance program, helping to facilitate the biometric identification of travelers. The platform uses facial recognition to match participating travelers to their IDs and travel documents, allowing for streamline passenger processing at the airport. Passengers need only to check in at a self-serve kiosk using a selfie, rather than having to hand over their documents to airport personnel.

At the moment, only Lufthansa and SWISS International are piloting the system, but NEC says that Star Alliance Biometrics will ultimately be used by all 26 of Star Alliance’s members.

What’s more, Star Alliance Biometrics’ functionality could be substantially expanded going forward. As NEC explains, its I:Delight software can be used to support wayfinding in airports, and could also be used for “Face Pay” purchases at duty-free stores. That means participants could confirm purchases without the need to hand over a payment card or cash, further streamlining the travel experience.

“Beyond the airport, the entire travel ecosystem can be enhanced with I:Delight by implementing face recognition in hospitality, retail, entertainment, car rental and other transportation,” NEC explained on its blog.

NEC also drew attention to its biometric technology’s adaptability to face masks. The company’s facial recognition engine was recently upgraded, and NEC maintains that it’s the industry’s fastest and most accurate face biometrics algorithm, enabling identity verification in 1.5 seconds even when the subject is wearing a mask.

–

December 11, 2020 – by Alex Perala