Looking like something you might be more used to seeing Q design in a James Bond flick, the EyeTicket Corporation recently launched its EyePass program at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, marking the latest push in security technology.
"The launch of EyePass represents a major turning point in the way business will address security issues in the future," said the chairman and CEO of EyeTicket Corporation, Stewart Mann. "We are providing the airline industry and airports around the world with a revolutionary alternative for easing the cumbersome identification process and ensuring the security and well-being of its customers and employees."
Originally designed by Iriscan, Inc. but patented and licensed by EyeTicket Corp., this technology can be used for security purposes in almost any environment. In the initial stages of its use, EyeTicket has targeted both airports/airlines and the all-encompassing sporting industry.
Already having the airport in Charlotte as a model, airline crewmembers (pilots and flight attendants) and airport employees have "enrolled" in the program by getting a simple digital picture taken of the iris of the eye with a video camera. Once their information is logged into the system, all the employees have to do to get access to restricted areas or to do something so simple as starting their work shift is to scan the iris of their eye into the camera, which then checks its memory to see if that specific eye is on record.
As far as the sporting industry is concerned, EyeTicket has only one establishment participating in their program. A local martial arts school in Northern Virginia uses the technology to keep attendance records as well as belt advancement up to date.
However, that is just the tip of the iceberg with the sporting industry. EyeTicket intends for their technology to be used at spectator sporting events as well as recreational centers. For example, season ticket holders for the Washington Redskins would "enroll" in the program and thereafter need only to scan their eye every time they show up at the stadium for a game.
With recreational centers, the technology would be ideal for keeping record of membership, attendance, and even purchasing merchandise at any designated health club using this technology.
Eventually, this technology could be used for any sort of transportation that involves the use of tickets. Subway systems and trains, as well as bus systems could use the EyeTicket as a method of use for passengers that often travel on their various modes of transportation.
Although this technology is still in its growing stages, it is intriguing to see how experts have managed to find yet another way to advance technology and put forth new and improved ways of security for the public. It will be very interesting to see if the EyeTicket device will have success. Certain red flags pop up like what would happen if there was a crash in the computer system holding all the data? How accurately would the system be able to maintain current records, especially when it comes to purchases used on the system? For the time being, all we can do is sit back and focus our eyes on the progress of this new technology
For more information about the EyeTicket technology, check out these websites:
www.eyeticket.com and www.iriscan.com
