SYD Tests Face Recognition

This week, some passengers traveling through SYD will be the first guinea pigs in a program that intends to replace the passport with facial scans. The check-in process may surely become less of a headache, but at what price?

Select passengers flying with Qantas Airways will have the chance to pass through check-in, baggage drop, lounge access, and boarding without needing to show their passport. That’s assuming the system works properly, at least. Australia has dedicated $94 million over five years for its Seamless Traveler system and the program is still far from being ready to handle the 43 million travelers who pass through the Sydney Airport each year.

In a statement supplied to CNBC, the airport’s CEO, Geoff Culbert, said, “In the future, there will be no more juggling passports and bags at check-in and digging through pockets or smartphones to show your boarding pass.” Qantas also plans to offer lounge customers “a more personalized experience” based off of facial recognition. I have no idea what that means but we’ve reached out to ask and will update this story when we receive a reply.




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