Tags: Travel

Reimagining Digital Identity and Air Travel

Posted by Jason Van Sice on Posted in Biometrics, Security Tagged , , ,

The Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) played host to Future Travel Experience 2023. FTE Global was co-located with APEX (The Airline Passenger Experience Association) and IFSA (International Flight Service Association) Expo, making this the definitive event for innovators, technologists, designers, collaborators, and game changers in the air travel industry. NEC was proud to be the Diamond Sponsor of the event, including the Biometrics & Digital Identity Summit sponsorship.

Biometrics & Digital Identity Summit
The Biometrics and Digital Identity Summit brought in a packed house with Maurice Jenkins, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami International Airport, serving as moderator for a candid talk among industry leaders about their experiences using digital identity solutions including:

  • Nael Samha, Acting Executive Director, Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Chang Ellison, Identity Management Capability Manager, Enrollment, ID Proofing, and Vetting, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • Christian Draeger, Vice President of Customer Experience, Star Alliance
  • Forest Beattie, Senior Manager Solution Engineer, SITA
  • Devon Heyns, Director of Customer Innovation at United Airlines, spotlighted the airline’s digital identity strategies.
  • Jenns Sanner, Program Manager at Fraport, presented the compelling business case for Frankfurt Airport to make one of the largest investments in biometrics to date with NEC.
  • Bill Carleton, Director, Advanced Recognition Systems, NEC Corporation of America, showcased the progressive digital identity solutions for airports, airlines, urban air mobility, cruise and hotel industries NEC is moving forward today.

Award-Winning Booth and “Identity Reimagined” Demos
We were thrilled to have our interactive booth recognized with the Best Exhibitor Award during the Global Networking Party and Awards Ceremony! Our booth showcased solutions that brought forward the notion of “Identity Reimagined,” using advanced recognition systems and leading-edge biometrics for secure, streamlined digital identity solutions, including:

  1. Decentralized Identity (DID) Enrollment and Authentication – Digital enrollment using the NEC I:Delight platform on IOS/Android/Microsoft devices.
  2. Baggage Detection Solutions – Object detection solution based on real-time video streaming and analytics.
  3. Intelligent Perimeter Detection – Detects physical border and facility breach using fiber optic sensing and self-modifying, machine-learning-based AI.
  4. Intelligent Spaces – Detects behavior and dwell time in specific areas for security and operation in airports.
  5. Parallel Reality™ Experiences – Technology from Misapplied Sciences creates personalized airport experiences for each of a hundred people simultaneously sharing the same digital display.

Personalized Airports
NEC and Misapplied Sciences also hosted an exclusive showroom tour to showcase, “Personalized Airports powered by Parallel Realities™ Technology.” Attendees were wowed as they explored the immersive and interactive capabilities and personalized airport experiences while simultaneously sharing the same digital display.

Relive the experience by watching our FTE Global video recap and check out our photo gallery.

Learn more about the ways NEC can help you take travel to new heights with Digital ID. Contact us today.

Next-Generation Airport Tech Showcased at Passenger Terminal Expo 2022

Posted by Jason Van Sice on Posted in Biometrics, Conference, Customer Experience, Government, Hospitality, Retail Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

As travel demand is unleashed, passengers expect smooth, safe and secure journeys.

During Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE) 2022, NEC partnered with SITA to showcase seamless, touchless airport experiences through the integration of SITA Smart Path and SITA Flex powered by the NEC I:Delight identity management platform. We were pleased to join more than 6,500 colleagues, in Paris, France. With “Bonjour” greetings, we shared innovations and insights for the future development of the world’s airports.

Making Touchpoints Touchless™
NEC’s partnership with SITA launched just as airports and airlines increasingly look to low-touch and automated passenger processing to comply with health requirements following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The majority of passengers (73%) are willing to share their biometric data to improve airport processes, according to the 2021 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Global Passenger Survey. That is up from 46% in 2019.

NEC I:Delight’s interoperable digital identity management together with SITA Smart Path and SITA Flex allows passengers to use their digital identity on their mobile phones whenever they travel.

See how NEC and SITA are taking travel to new heights.

PTE 2022 “We’re unlocking the potential of seamless next-generation passenger processing solutions with SITA to make mobile-enabled and touchless airport processes a reality,” said Jason Van Sice, NEC Vice President of Aviation. “NEC I:Delight allows travelers to ‘register once, use often,’ providing a consent-driven, personalized customer experience.”

On the expo floor, NEC and SITA spotlighted recent success stories featuring Star Alliance and Miami International Airport. The exhibit included demos of passengers using their biometric identity to check-in, make payments, drop their bags, as well as pass-through security, immigration and boarding by simply scanning their face at each step.

“We know from SITA’s Passenger IT Insights research that passengers are enthusiastic about self-service mobile and touchless technologies. Our global partnership with NEC offers this. Together we’re able to deliver secure walk-through travel at airports globally, integrating SITA Smart Path to validate a passenger’s identity from check-in to boarding, and offer a seamless passenger journey to the connected travelers” said Manuel Deloche, Vice President Passenger Processing at SITA.

The Future of Digital ID
With innovative identification technologies and AI solutions—including the most accurate face recognition algorithm according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) —NEC I:Delight allows passengers who have opted to use the service to be identified quickly. Even when passengers are on the move and wearing masks, the platform offers a high degree of accuracy.

SITA Smart Path and SITA Flex solutions can integrate NEC’s biometric technologies with existing, common-use infrastructure and airline applications while delivering a frictionless airport journey.

We are energized by the connections made at PTE and look forward to the future of travel in the months ahead. Discover more and schedule a demo or contact us directly.

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NEC Maintains Top Rank in 2022 NIST FRVT Report

Posted by Kathleen Kiernan on Posted in Analytics, Biometrics, Cloud, Events, Government, Law Enforcement, Security Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

NIST Ranked #1 Globally

  • #1 in Mugshot Identification
  • #1 in Border Security Identification
  • #1 in Mugshot Identification over age differences

At NEC Corporation, we take great pride in our legacy of creating the best technology in our field and our biometric authentication algorithms are no exception. Our #1-ranked National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) algorithms are trusted every day to provide accurate and secure results across sectors including commercial aviation, hospitality and the United States government.

Adding to this legacy, we are excited to share that NEC’s facial recognition algorithm earned the top ranking from NIST’s most recent Face Recognition Vendor Test across multiple categories.

NEC earned top recognition in the categories of Mugshot Identification both globally and in the United States, Global Border Security Identification, and Global Mugshot Identification over age differences, as well as Mugshot to Webcam Identification here in the U.S.

These rankings match the very real, positive impact our technology has on society every day. For example, U.S. CBP Deputy Commissioner, Troy Miller, recently shared in an interview1 that facial recognition technology, including our algorithm, has identified more than 1,000 imposters attempting to enter the country with false documents since 2018 – decreasing potential crime and creating safer communities.

For more than two decades, NEC has consistently surpassed competitors’ algorithms in the categories of accuracy and speed. This remains true even when demographic differentials including race and sex are accounted for and when subjects wear protective face masks. Our algorithm passed internal tests with a rate of over 99.9% in 1:1 verification when face masks of various colors and patterns were worn by individuals – ensuring security and supporting public health.

The latest NIST results showed NEC’s algorithm outperformed the entire field of 329 entries submitted from all over the world on mugshot identification. Our NEC-005 algorithm demonstrated a False Negative Identification Rate (FNIR) of just 0.0017 at a False Positive Rate (FPIR) of 0.001, respectively.

This same algorithm outperformed a field of 289 entries on Mugshot to Webcam identification with an FNIR of .0120 at a FPIR of .001.

NEC’s facial recognition algorithm is called upon by professionals across a diverse range of use cases in critical moments and is counted on for its reliable and accurate results. These use cases include criminal investigation, immigration, military security and national identification within the entertainment industry.

We have implemented more than 1,000 systems with our top-ranked fingerprint and face recognition technologies in more than 70 countries and regions around the world.

Our team works to create the most accurate and reliable product possible to ensure safe, accessible and enjoyable experiences for every person who uses our technology. While navigating access points can often be a hassle, we see a touchless and frictionless future made possible through our first-ranked biometric authentication algorithm.

To read more, you can access the full NIST report, here.

Learn more about our #1 ranked algorithm’s use cases here.

1. https://about.bgov.com/news/facial-scans-catch-impostors-at-border-as-agencies-embrace-use/

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Hitting the Customer Journey Fairway with NEC I:Delight

Posted by Micah Willbrand on Posted in Biometrics, Customer Experience, Government, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Security Tagged , , , , ,

It was exciting to join Dan Shube on the “Golf and Travel Show” to talk about the latest innovations making travel safer and airport security more effortless.

Most golfers enjoy traveling to take on new challenges at golf courses in the U.S. and around the world. Unfortunately, air travel has been chaotic and challenging the past couple of years, which has impacted these avid golfers’ ability to enjoy their favorite activity.

Safe and seamless air travel

i:DelightDan and I discussed advancements in Digital ID management, biometric technology and touchless transactions to make traveling safe and seamless.

Instead of fumbling with bags, tickets and passports, NEC’s biometrics and Digital ID management elevates the customer experience from curb-to-gate. Frequent flyers can eliminate paper boarding passes, as well as reduce wait times at airport security using our opt-in advanced face recognition technology.

NEC is continuously upgrading the biometric algorithm to meet health and safety guidelines, including face recognition while wearing masks. On the show, we shared a laugh about the innovations enhancing the customer journey and leaving the tech from “Star Trek” and “The Jetsons” in the dust. So, while air travel may never be “fun”, we are working hard to make it as stress free as possible.

Specifically, we talked about NEC I:Delight, a complete Digital ID management platform that enables touchless traveler verification and secure transactions. Using I:Delight, airports and airlines increase:

  • Privacy controlled by passengers who opt-in and choose how their Digital IDs are used.
  • Safety for travelers and employees, verifying identity with face masks in place.
  • Efficiency enabled by processing passengers faster with fewer touches and interactions.
  • Interoperability with existing technologies at airports, as well as iOS and Android apps.
  • Scalability to expand capabilities, including retail and restaurant purchases at the airport to car rentals and hotel check-in.

Listen to our conversation on the Golf & Travel Show here.

Learn more about the ways NEC is reshaping the aviation experience with a seamless, safer customer journey.

See how Digital IDs can work for you. Take a guided virtual tour and discover the frictionless, touchless capabilities of I:Delight by visiting our Virtual Customer Experience Center.

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Interested in learning more about the platform? Fill out the form, and we will get back with you.

Bold New Ideas Take Flight at FTE Global 2021

Posted by Jason Van Sice on Posted in Biometrics, Cloud, Conference, Customer Experience, Government, Hospitality, Retail Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

For the last several years, the air travel industry has been focused on creating a seamless “curb-to-gate” passenger experience at the airport. To that end, many stakeholders in aviation have had visions of touchless biometric technology that allows a customer to drop a bag at the curb, check-in, pass security and board the plane without ever having to use a paper document.

This year, at the Future Travel Experience | Redefining the air passenger experience conference and exhibition, we celebrated the future everyone has been talking about because it has arrived. Held at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, December 7 – 9, we were energized to meet our colleagues from around the world face-to-face at the show. During our time with experts in aviation, we discussed strategies to transform the passenger experience and underscored our collaborative efforts to face industry disruptions with advanced identity management solutions.

AIRPORT OF THE FUTURE IS NOW

Following the show theme, “New Approaches for a New World,” we introduced the NEC Biometrics & Digital Identity Summit that featured a joint keynote, case studies and a panel discussion.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) participated in a joint keynote session that talked extensively about the collaborative work that TSA and CBP did to cut through bureaucratic “red tape” and get technology into the field as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible.

Our case study spotlighted the partnership with Star Alliance, Lufthansa and SITA to uncover how Star Alliance and NEC’s biometric identification platform improved the customer experience for frequent flyers at airports around the world. Click here to see the entire panel discussion.

The panel discussion included key representatives from Delta, TSA, Mastercard, Port of Seattle and ID2020. It revealed how to successfully collaborate, facilitate and scale new digital identity and biometric efforts on a global level.

Finally, the summit concluded with a virtual presentation from Japan Airlines. They shared insight into how facial recognition technology is powering experiences at airports and in stadiums in Asia.

See how NEC I:Delight Enables Travelers to Use a Digital ID to Personalize Their Travel Experience.

NEW APPROACHES FOR A NEW WORLD

On the show floor, the NEC I:Delight platform was highlighted with the help of our partners at SITA, Tascent and Smith Detection. To create a seamless journey throughout our booth, we showcased the NEC I:Delight platform running on SITA Smart Path. By demonstrating this technology, we were able to take attendees through a seamless journey on the show floor, highlighting the simplicity and security of managing their Digital ID. Using this application, travelers can expect shorter lines, faster identification, touchless services and a personalized customer experience during their journey.

Check out our photo gallery and learn more about the ways NEC and our partners take customer experience to new heights with aviation innovation on one platform.

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Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Fill out the form, and we will get back with you.