Are you Ready to Become your own Passport?

Future trends in the travel industry definitely rhyme with technology. Indeed, as Diane Evans points it out on her article “Paperless travel only eight years away” technology will re-think the current way of travelling. Fingerprint boarding passes and eye-scanning passport could make the old fashion way of queuing through customs obsolete. However, is the environment ready for such a change? Will it affect customers’ feeling of safety and security?

Long Range Fingerprint Scanner (AIRprint™)

© 2011 Advanced Optical Systems, Inc, http://www.aos-inc.com/index.php/products/airprint

The long-range fingerprint scanner AIRprint™ is a concept developed by Advanced Optical System, Inc for rapid, long-range collection of fingerprints. The device can capture up to 6.5 feet away in less than five seconds. Used in the travel industry this device will allow customer to use fingerprints as a passing board. However, in terms in security will this device be efficient? The advantage of such a device will decrease the waiting time and boarding should be running more smoothly. One of the disadvantages is that each individual has different fingerprints which make you unique. Nevertheless, every single object you touch is signed by your fingerprints. Which make it easy to recognize. Knowing that technology can recognize fingerprints from a long range distance there is no doubt that technology could also be reproduced on a 3D printer. This threat is probably similar of faking passports nowadays. Communication will play a key role in the development of such device in order to avoid fear for travellers.

The Eye-scanning Passport (IRIS example, Heathrow Airport)

Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) is replacing customs in Heathrow airport for customers that enrolled. IRIS allows passengers to walk through an airport, board a plane and enter another country without ever having to physically go through a single security or border control checkpoint. However, some consumers are reluctant to these new technologies and share their concerns. American traveller, online forum said: “The idea that my details (identity) would be stored in a cloud somewhere, accessible to any major bank, government, corporation, or, in the worst case, hacker, does not make me rest easy at night. The money I earn and my passport are two of the most important external ‘things’ outside of my physical body. Without these things, my experience of ‘freedom’ as an adult, and individual is limited.”

What is definite is that travelling in the future will not be the same as today but the real question is to what extend consumer will be keen on using technology?

Maria Hunova & Sylvain Sevenier

Key Words: Technology, Future, Paperless Travel, Airport

Diane Evans. (2012). Paperless Travel only Eight Years Away. Retrieved on March 20, 2012, from www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=1150975&c=setreg&region=2

Amadeus IT Group SA. (2012). From Chaos to collaboration; How transformative technologies will herald a new era in travel. 2DML12/ 03762