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Dubai airport swaps security gates for virtual aquarium tunnel

dubai airport scanner facial recognition

Dubai airport is swapping conventional security clearance procedures for a virtual aquarium tunnel that scans passengers' faces as they walk through.

According to The National, the tunnel will be bristling with around 80 hidden cameras scanning people's faces or irises.

The idea is that the virtual fish will attract the gaze to every corner of the tunnel ensuring a good range of images.

The tunnel has the flexibility to offer a range of different environments or could even be used to display advertising.


Once through, travellers will see a green message wishing them a nice journey. If there is a security issue, the operations room will be alerted to intervene.

The initiative is a response to expected increases in visitor numbers by 2020. The current figure of around 80 million is predicted to grow to as much as 124 million in the next three years.

The first tunnel is scheduled to be installed by the end of next summer at Terminal 3, home of the Emirates airline.

There will be a phased roll-out to Dubai airport's other terminals.

Dubai airport's new virtual aquarium tunnel scans your face as you walk through it | The National