Australian Airport Trials Biometric Check-ins

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Trial of a new, biometric, check-in system has begun in Australia's Sydney Airport. The system will use facial recognition technology to enable automated plane boarding, lounge access, bag drop off, and check-ins. The Australian Government has fully endorsed the biometrics system and has promised to invest $16.6 million to roll out the facial recognition technology in all Australian airports. The Department of Homeland Security in the United States is planning to launch a similar service this year in order to help identify people who exit and enter at the United States border. Facial recognition technology and other biometric identification systems are being increasingly invested in across both public and private areas as organizations seek to tap into the gains in security and efficiency they offer. 

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert is very optimistic about the effect the new technology will have on travelers: "There will be no more juggling passports and bags at check-in and digging through pockets or smartphones to show your boarding pass -- your face will be your passport and your boarding pass at every step of the process".


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