Transport

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

No more long queues at airport security desks as Dubai readies itself to introduce an innovative new approach - a tunnel that scans you as you walk through it. Here's how it works

Nick Webster
Nick Webster

October 11, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

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.

Read more: Robotics stealing show at gadgets-galore Gitex in Dubai

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.”

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Read more:

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Wam
    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
    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 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
    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
    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 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 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
    Visitors take a look at the Robots. Satish Kumar for The National
  • A police officer stands next to a drone motorcycle. AFP
    A police officer stands next to a drone motorcycle. AFP
TechnologyDubai PoliceUAEDubai