In the first part of this two-part New Tech Tuesday series, we examined how biometric systems have become a necessary tool for modern air travel. Biometric technologies adopted at airports worldwide enhance security and streamline the processing of millions of travel passengers yearly.
In this second part, we detail who is behind building these biometric databases and the future implications for our privacy and autonomy.
Airlines and airports have developed extensive biometric databases to enhance airport efficiency through quick and accurate traveler identification. Facial recognition technology, for instance, can significantly speed up boarding by verifying passengers' identities without needing physical documents. In June 2017, JetBlue Airways, in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA®), tested the first biometric boarding system based on facial recognition. This system allowed passengers to board without paper tickets by capturing their images and verifying them against passport and visa photos stored in a database. This technology has since been widely adopted, improving efficiency and passenger experience globally.
Furthermore, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented biometric scanners in US airports, creating one of the world's largest databases of biographic and biometric data. This database, with millions of new entries weekly, is now a reality due to recent congressional support for widespread biometric scanning.
The Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology System (HART) is the primary centralized DHS system for storing and processing biometric and biographic information. HART processes biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial images and links them with biographic information. It is housed in the FedRAMP-approved Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud environment and provides scalable biometric matching capabilities. Future upgrades will include DNA retention, support additional biometric modalities, improve interoperability, and enhance reporting features.
Smart touchpoints in major airports integrate various technologies to enhance passenger experiences and operational efficiency (Figure 1). These touchpoints include self-service kiosks for check-in, biometric scanners for security, and digital signage for information.
Figure 1: Smart touchpoints help streamline airport security operations by quickly identifying biometric data (Source: Davin/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)
The future access and usage of biometric data raise significant ethical and legal concerns. While the primary users are airport security, airlines, and governmental agencies like the DHS, other entities like law enforcement agencies, commercial enterprises, and foreign governments might also access this data in the future. This potential access underscores the need for clear regulations on biometric data usage, retention, and deletion to prevent misuse and protect individual privacy.
The lack of comprehensive regulations governing biometric data use exacerbates these concerns, as there are no clear rules on data deletion, access, and purposes. This regulatory gap leaves individuals vulnerable to potential abuses of their biometric information, highlighting the importance of robust data protection measures and clear oversight mechanisms.
This week's New Tech Tuesday showcases advanced design tools by Renesas Electronics and STMicroelectronics (ST) that can help engineers streamline the development of high-performance embedded systems like smart touchpoint applications in secure airport environments, ensuring the protection of personal biometric data.
The Renesas Electronics RA8D1 evaluation kit offers design engineers a powerful tool for developing HMIs, security access panels, IoT gateways/hubs, security cameras, voice AI, vision AI, and biometric applications for airport smart touchpoints. Featuring a high-performance Arm® Cortex®-M85 core with Helium™ at 480MHz, the onboard RA8D1 MCU delivers exceptional processing power, low latency, and real-time operation.
The STMicroelectronics X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1 expansion board is an ideal tool for design engineers developing advanced biometric applications such as airport smart touchpoints. Featuring sensor hubs, the board supports camera module integration; ST’s electrostatic sensor, Qvar, for touch/swipe gestures via electrode; and presence and motion detection capabilities through an IR sensor.
Biometric databases enhance airport efficiency but raise significant privacy concerns. Technologies like HART and smart touchpoints underscore the importance of stringent regulations and transparency in safeguarding personal data. Understanding the implications of biometric data collection and storage is critical. Strong privacy protocols, regulatory clarity, and transparency are vital to protecting individual privacy, preventing misuse of sensitive biometric information, and upholding trust.
Rudy Ramos brings 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments..