NEC to provide fingerprint matching technology for UK passport trial

The trial will run for six months from January to June 2004. 10,000 volunteers will be enrolled in the trial, using biometrics to record their unique identity, and will then receive personalised demonstration smart cards carrying both printed and electronic information. NEC has been involved in many high profile security installations, such as the Singapore Immigration Authority project, which covered the country’s three principal entry points by land and air. The NEC solution in Singapore has blended the most advanced smart card technology with its state-of-the-art fingerprint matching system. Since launching in 2001, it has dramatically improved speed of access for visitors whilst heightening security for the authorities. The pilot will test iris pattern and fingerprint biometrics enrolment and verification. The pilot will also test collection and verification of a facial recognition biometric. The trial will be used to gather independent data on the publics reactions to the biometrics being tested. The research project will be conducted by MORI.