NEC Corporation is set to introduce advanced biometric authentication technology capable of swiftly verifying large groups of people simultaneously, even while they are in motion. This innovation aims to streamline admissions and ease congestion at busy events and infrastructure sites. The rollout will begin in September 2024, initially targeting Japan, the United States, and Singapore.

Historically, high-traffic areas such as theme parks, offices, and factories have struggled with long lines and congestion at security checkpoints. NEC’s facial recognition technology, already in use in over 50 countries and 80 airports for tasks like immigration and boarding, will power this new system. The technology can identify individuals even as they move through crowded spaces, with the capacity to authenticate up to 100 people per minute in real-time.

Unlike traditional gate-based systems, NEC’s solution requires no physical barriers, minimizing congestion without the need for facility expansion. If an unregistered individual attempts to pass through, the system will issue visual alerts. The system debuted at NEC’s Tokyo headquarters in July 2024 and is expected to address growing crowd management challenges at airports, train stations, and tourist sites, where the number of passengers is projected to double by 2041.

Key features of the system include real-time, simultaneous authentication of multiple individuals, easy installation with minimal hardware, and flexible integration with various corporate applications. Future enhancements may include compatibility with AR glasses for improved security and customer service.