WATCH: Walking through Dubai airport's virtual aquarium security tunnel

Virtual borders and biometric scanners equipped with more than 80 cameras will soon make passing through Dubai Airport a seamless experience for weary travellers.

Visitors to Gitex Technology Week could try the new airport smart scanner out for themselves. Walking through the short tunnel, cameras detect unique physical characteristics via facial recognition software to confirm the identity of passengers.

The developing technology will be installed by the end of next summer at Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the home of Emirates, and rolled out at all terminals by 2020.

Other airline developments include a check-in process for passengers en-route to the airport that will speed up transition times for first-class and business travellers.

“The Emirates service will collect passengers from home and during the journey to the airport their biometric details can be taken and cleared in the car, along with the security clearance for their luggage,” said Fatema al Mazroui, head of smart projects at General Directorate Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

“All of the usual check-in requirements can be done en-route to the airport in a matter of minutes. The smart tunnel and e-gates will help make a more seamless journey for everyone.”

___________________

Robotics stealing show at gadgets-galore Gitex in Dubai

Surgeons to get better feel for remote operations when 5G technology rolls out

Dubai Police unveils flying 'Hoversurf' at Gitex

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Wam

Travellers departing from Dubai will no longer need to pass through any sort of security clearance counter or e-gate, they will simply walk through a virtual aquarium tunnel that will scan their face or iris using hidden cameras while they’re in motion. Satish Kumar for The National

Visitors at the Redhat stand during the 37th Gitex Technology Week at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National

Visitors attend the 37th Gitex Technology Week at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National

The Dubai Police stands during the 37th Gitex Technology Week at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National

Visitors browse the Microsoft stand at Gitex Technology Week. Satish Kumar for The National

Visitors browse the Dell stand at Gitex Technology Week. Satish Kumar for The National

Visitors take a look at the Robots. Satish Kumar for The National

A police officer stands next to a drone motorcycle. AFP

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Whiile you're here

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

Results

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel

4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson

5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri

5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

While you're here

Hussein Ibish: America's attitude to Palestine and Israel has subtly shifted

Con Coughlin: With every missile fired in Israel-Gaza, Biden's clout reduces

Anwar Mhajne: The moral burden of being a Palestinian citizen of Israel

New UK refugee system

A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds