Automated Passenger Authentication Solutions Based on Biometric Self-Service Processes

Nationwide roll-out of Automated Border Control awarded to Vision-Box®

Eight major international airports in Australia will automate traveller processing at departures, with the implementation of self-service Automated Border Control departures SmartGates based on Facial Recognition. The initiative by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection aims to strengthen security at Australian borders. As a result of a tender procedure, Vision- Box® has been successfully selected as the preferred partner to deliver the solution.

Sydney, Friday, 24th April 2015 – Australian borders face increasing security challenges, as the number of travellers arriving and departing the country continues to grow at a fast pace while the state of alert for possible terror acts has strongly intensified.

Following a national plan to combat terrorist activity, the Australian Government is committed to the modernization of security infrastructure, namely passenger clearance processes, through the use of biometric-based solutions at departures, in order to bolster security measures and help manage increasing traveller volumes.

As an outcome, eight Australian Airports will soon have their processes renovated during the nationwide roll-out of departures SmartGates between June 2015 and July 2016: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Cairns and Darwin. The tender procedure was preceded by a successful trial at Brisbane International Airport in a partnership with IBM Australia, proving that Vision-Box® was the right partner to deliver this large-scale project, which includes the deployment of 92 Automated Border Control SmartGates at Departures Terminals. vb i- match® ABC eGates are developed by Vision-Box®, the industry leader with more than 800 Biometric-based Automated Border Control solutions installed worldwide. The eGates will expedite each traveller’s clearance in just a few seconds, providing a fast and user-friendly experience, while guaranteeing accuracy in the identification of passengers before their departure from Australia.


vb i-match® ABC eGate from Vision-Box® at Brisbane International Airport

The process is very fast and intuitive at the eGates: the first step is to present the Electronic Passport – to be automatically authenticated – and the second step is to look at a camera. The face image is captured and matched against the biometric data stored in the document. While the identity of the traveller is being verified at the departures SmartGate, Border Protection Officers will be monitoring the information in real-time, whether through a stationary border control station or mobile devices, which will display any alerts to facilitate a prompt reaction by the Officers to imminent threats.

Jean-François Lennon, Vision-Box’s Vice-President for Global Business Development & Sales reinforces the significance of this project: “The implementation of a new generation of Automated Border Control technology is a great step forward for Australia, meaning a boost in the country’s national security measures at departures, adopting a hassle-free approach. Furthermore, by monitoring borders through the extended use of facial recognition, taking full advantage of our last generation passenger-centric solution, controlled through user-focused supervision software, Border Protection Officers may focus on added-value duties, such as profiling and surveilling high-risk travellers. This not only enhances national security but creates more effective and efficient processes. Of course, not to mention the users: travellers will certainly notice the difference, taking advantage of a happy flow when leaving Australia!”

There are no current nationality exclusions. Most travellers will be able to use the departures SmartGates.

Due to the design of the departures SmartGates, travellers must be a minimum height of 120cm and able to understand and follow the processes without assistance.

In order to deploy this world reference project, Vision-Box®, as prime contractor, counts on the collaboration with service partners IBM Australia and ESP Global Services.