Biometric Identity technology for efficient border control
268 Million
Passengers passed through ports in the EU in 2021
1,000+
ID systems provided to EU countries
100%
Supplied devices are ICAO, CE, ROHS and IP compliant
As part of the Security Union and the European Agenda on Security and Migration, the EU implemented the automated Entry/Exit System (EES) to enhance homeland security and manage cross-border migration, crime, and terrorism. Adopted in 2017, the EES Regulation promotes efficient border controls among the Member States to ensure the safety of EU citizens while allowing legitimate travellers to access EU territory easily.
Laxton was called upon to develop digital identity systems to support EES and adhere to the requirements of individual member states. The focus was to create a fast, seamless process at land, sea, and airport borders without compromising border security.
Project
Solution: Border Security
Region: Europe
Year: 2019 to present
A new era in border control
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering travellers from non-EU countries, each time they cross an EU external border. This includes both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers. The system registers the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit. Importantly, it also records refusals of entry.
The EES replaces the manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming. It provides reliable data on border crossings or identification of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay). This bespoke technology helps Member States to efficiently manage the growing number of travellers to the EU without having to increase the number of border guards.
Laxton devices are fully compliant with ICAO, CE, ROHS, IP and other certifications
Rugged devices for challenging environments
The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the freedom, security, and justice sectors (eu-LISA) is responsible for developing and managing the system. EU-Lisa soon realised the need for rugged mobile devices that could withstand the rigours of harsh border environments.
Laxton began its software and hardware research and development to fulfil these requirements in 2018. In 2019, the Chameleon range of identity technology systems was launched.
Laxton devices capture vital information, including multimodal (face and fingerprint) biometric data, for fast and accurate identification. The ID verification devices are designed to be compact, mobile, and intuitive for border officers
to operate.
The custom identity software is linked to the central EES database and Europol, creating a central register of cross-border movements. The continuous improvements in Chameleon’s design and functionality have made it an indispensable tool for eu-LISA in managing its large-scale IT systems.
Expanding into more EU countries with tailored ID solution
Once we completed these initial pilot phases, Laxton built key partnerships with companies producing complementary components and systems. The collaborations allowed the software development team to fine-tune the software for a comprehensive solution.
One of the biggest challenges was meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for facial capture in far-from-ideal environments. The ICAO’s defined standards for digital images of faces include the following:
Human examination of facial images with sufficient resolution to allow an examiner to check for features, such as moles and scars, that could be used to verify identity
Human identity verification by comparison of people with facial images
Automated facial identification by computer (search 1: N)
Automated face verification by computer (1: 1 match)
Laxton’s answer was a third generation facial camera with a customised LED attachment. This innovative solution enabled Laxton to surpass the ICAO’s stringent standards and deliver a facial capture system that could function flawlessly in challenging environments.
The company ethos demands that we go beyond just high-quality technology to ensure our devices are 100% compliant with the best practice of every relevant authority. We enlisted the services of specialised labs to certify our devices for CE Compliance, ROHS, IP rating, and other certifications.
With more countries to follow, Laxton devices are already in use in Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Estonia, Belgium, and Iceland.
A targeted solution that adapts to its environment
Since the start of this mammoth project, our Product Development team has designed a range of biometric handhelds, tablets, and desktop devices to cater to every Member Country’s criterion.
Laxton has delivered more than a thousand devices to clients across the EU, which include:
All-in-one multimodal biometric solution Chameleon 8 range
Chameleon 5 and 7 handhelds
Chameleon EES Enrolment & Verification Kit
Self-service Traveller Kiosks
The Chameleon range ensures seamless land, rail, and sea border control. They are designed to be robust, rugged, cost-effective, and user-friendly.
Every configuration allows for quick setup and operation in any location. What elevates Laxton’s offering is that the final product is tailored to meet a client’s specific needs. Component and accessory options include:
- Fingerprint scanner options; single, two-finger, and 4-4-2 live fingerprint sensors
- Iris camera
- High-spec auto-focus camera and onboard software for ICAO-quality photos for facial recognition
- Microphone voice recognition
- NFC / RFID contactless smart card reader
- IC contact card reader
- 1D, 2D and PDF barcode scanner
- Document scanner
- Digital signature pads
- Multiple interface ports
- 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LAN, and GPS communication capabilities for on and offline operation
