As airports around the world deploy advanced biometric border controls, Singapore has taken one step further to ensuring land checkpoints are installed with facial detection technology to vet travellers who cross the border.
A trial got underway last month to implement an updated version of the Automated Passenger In-car Clearance System (APICS) which uses facial and iris biometrics to authenticate the passports of travellers using the access point.
The newest system cuts the time of manual checks, allowing for seamless border control without the need for passengers to leave their vehicle or be assisted by immigration officials. The entry process is streamlined with integrated automation, robotics, surveillance and wireless technologies to authenticate eligible car travellers.
The country has recently thrown its support behind the development of trusted new ID solutions, announcing the opening of a national Digital Trust Center (DTC) in June.
Singapore’s Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) previously managed the land border point with fingerprint recognition scanners which extended to car passengers using a robotic arm.
The ICA’s Biometric Identification of Motorbikers System also uses biometric technology to authenticate registered motorcyclists through Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.