Panasonic's Iris Recognition Camera System controls and protects UK airportsFrequent travellers from the UK and abroad can benefit from a faster, simpler way to pass through immigration control as new technology is launched at Heathrow Terminals 1-4, Manchester Terminals 1 and 2, and Gatwick North. Panasonic's Iris Recognition Camera System, the BM-ET330A Series utilises biometric technology enabling registered passengers to pass through passport control quickly and easily in a more secure way than ever before. The BM-ET330A provides high-precision individual authentication with an error margin of just 1 in 1.2 million and provides airports with a vital tool for controlling immigration. The biometric technology supports iris as a positive means of person identification in that no two iris patterns are the same. Every iris is calculated to have around 260 unique features, making it a safer, more effective way to allow and restrict access when high security is required. This biometric technology works by capturing passengers' iris patterns and storing the information on a database, together with their passport details. The system will then quickly and safely recognise each registered individual when they look into the camera, requiring no physical contact, and enable users to pass through the barriers in place at the airport terminals. The quick and easy registration process takes between 5 and 10 minutes and is an ideal way for frequent flyers i.e. business men and women to speed up their travel times and make connection flights easier. Speaking in March 2006, Immigration Minister Tony McNulty said, "For the first time frequent travellers and non EU citizens will be able to enter the country quickly and securely by using IRIS technology. With over 97 million people entering the UK in 2005, it is important that the UK remains at the forefront of the latest technology in immigration controls and the Government's commitment to project IRIS demonstrates that." "Secure and effective border controls are vital to safeguard our citizens against terrorism, serious and organised crime and illegal immigration, while at the same time facilitating entry for legitimate travellers." In welcoming the Home Office initiative, British Airways Manager for Government Affairs, Jim Forster, said, "Iris recognition will compliment other BA initiatives such as check-in online and print your own boarding card from home which substantially reduces the amount of time our customers need to spend in queues at the airport." Panasonic's Iris Recognition camera system, the BM-ET330A series, combines high precision, faster iris recognition, and flexible system architecture for state-of-the-art personal identification. This development in secure identification acknowledgement looks set to revolutionize check in procedures for the future, a trend that is being adapted at a growing number of UK airports. | 
