Face recognition, automated security clearance and large multimedia screens — these high-tech features are no longer things out of sci-fi movies but of reality.
CHANGI AIRPORT
HIGH-TECH FEATURE The Social Tree
WHAT IS IT? Comprised of eight touchscreen photo booths and 64 giant 42-inch high-definition screens, this avant-garde facility allows travellers to share photos and videos while visiting the airport. These can be posted to social networks or left on the "tree" to become part of the airport’s history.
AVAILABILITY Terminal One
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HIGH-TECH FEATURE The multimedia installations
WHAT IS IT? A 72-foot-tall (22 metres) digital Time Tower and a multi-panel screen suspended from the high ceiling display alternating images to create a moving art pieces. There are also tall digital pillars playing images that respond to the movement of scurrying travellers around them.
AVAILABILITY Tom Bradley International Terminal
INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HIGH-TECH FEATURE “U-Airport” concept
WHAT IS IT? Already used in airports in Australia and Portugal, Incheon’s “U-Airport” concept is a facial recognition system that compares the photo stored in the RF chip on an e-passport against the photo captured by the machine. According to the airport, the six months of test that it conducted in 2010 revealed an accuracy of 92 to 94 per cent.
AVAILABILITY As of January 2012, both fingerprints as well as use of the facial recognition system are required for all inbound foreign visitors passing through the airport
NARITA AIRPORT
HIGH-TECH FEATURE Sky Gate Vision
WHAT IS IT? It is the largest digital signage system in Japan. The biggest 9.6 x 1.92 metre screen has a 385-inch display with a curved picture and seamless panels. Other than terminal information, security information and advertisements, the system also display images of Japan, Narita Airport and music videos performed by airport staff.
AVAILABILITY Throughout Terminal 1 and 2 including the departure and arrival lobbies and retail areas.
HEATHROW AIRPORT
HIGH-TECH FEATURE Positive boarding
WHAT IS IT? A system designed to automate the airport clearance process. Previously, security officers would have to check all boarding tickets prior to immigration. Now, the passenger need simply to present the barcode on their ticket at an automatic gate which, if the ticket is verified, would open to allow them through to security.
AVAILABILITY Terminal 1, 3, 4
