News Contactless fingerprint scan debuts at Haneda Airport

[thomas]

Haneda Airport has initiated a trial of a first novel, camera-based fingerprint recognition system for Japan. This system allows for touchless identification to streamline international arrivals. This technology, which began testing on 3 February, captures fingerprint images without physical contact, offering a more hygienic and efficient alternative to traditional sensors. The system's primary goal is to enhance security by cross-referencing scanned fingerprints against existing databases, thereby preempting potential criminal or terrorist activities.

Photo credit: Panasonic Holdings Corp.​

Overall, the fingerprint recognition technology aims to prevent terrorist attacks and other crimes beforehand by comparing individuals' fingertips with fingerprint data on file. Existing touchless solutions scan fingerprints more quickly but still struggle to accurately match photographed images with previously recorded fingerprint data. This time, a technology developed by Panasonic Connect Co. in Tokyo was utilized. As finger deformation levels from pressure can be predicted using the technique, reference errors are reportedly dramatically reduced. The Immigration Services Agency is expected to continue the test until the end of February, to confirm the authentication mechanism's accuracy and speed. When the system will be fully introduced has yet to be reportedly decided.

1st contactless fingerprint authentication tested at Haneda | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Majestic]

Very interesting. I hope this trial works out. It could be a great way to make immigration smoother. Would be very good to implement something like this in the US, which has a horrible entry procedure. It feels like its a horrible mix of automation and "manual", and the manual part can be unnecessarily hostile.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I'm wondering if we will see any changes in the TSA system here in the US. The prostate checks are a pain in the butt!