Miguel Leitmann, CEO Vision-Box, interviewed by Marta Dimitrova.
Miguel Leitmann, CEO Vision-Box: “New digital technology is proving that enhanced security and passenger experience do not have to be mutually-exclusive. Our mission, as an innovative human-centric company, has been to develop a technology portfolio creating solid value-for-money solutions that contribute to achieving a symmetry between both needs.”
Travellers today seek a fast and efficient airport experience. For Vision-Box, providing a continuous, stress-free flow, combined with a comfortable environment and enjoyable interactions, is the most important aspect of its strategy. This has, indeed, been translated into the company’s 2018 motto ‘Transforming the Passenger Lifestyle’. “Airports are becoming small cities, and it is now time to offer a new lifestyle for those micro-societies, where there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone’s unique lifestyle is to be rewarded,” explains Miguel Leitmann, CEO Vision-Box.
As part of the new strategy, Vision-Box has also introduced a new line of products using the Internet of Things (IoT), biometrics technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to empower travellers with a “one-identity” experience by eliminating travel documents, while prioritising the protection and privacy of their information. “Additionally, it equips stakeholders with interactive decision-making, and real-time monitoring of the passenger journey, unleashing an unprecedented usage of available information. That’s what ‘Airport 4.0’ is about,” says Leitmann.
The company is working with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Sydney Airport to transform the airport ecosystem. The concept is powered by the use of biometric recognition devices. “We are transforming the airport ecosystem to a digital Seamless Airport 4.0. The use of biometric recognition devices and digital interfaces enables a document-free, self-service passage controlled by friction-less passenger-centric clearance points,” Leitmann comments.
Vision-Box has signed a long-framework agreement with Amsterdam Schiphol to implement a biometric-based seamless passenger walkthrough journey, which will modernise the airport experience as part of its ongoing Digital Airport Program. “It will facilitate the entire traveller journey by increasing throughput, and eliminating bottlenecks, while expanding terminal capacity within the existing footprint,” Leitmann explains.
Meanwhile, Sydney Airport will be supplied with the continents’ first automated contactless clearance, where the passenger’s face also becomes their passport. The passenger’s facial features are captured during check-in, after which the traveller can move through the subsequent checkpoints simply by having their face recognised. The elimination of having to show a passport or boarding pass substantially reduces queues and passenger stress, while increasing security.
The industry is increasingly focusing on achieving the perfect balance between ensuring security and providing the best passenger experience. “New digital technology is proving that enhanced security and passenger experience do not have to be mutually-exclusive,” says Leitmann. “Our mission, as an innovative human-centric company, has been to develop a technology portfolio creating solid value-for-money solutions that contribute to achieving a symmetry between both needs. We pioneered a process that establishes a trusted personalised experience by facilitating checkpoint clearance using a biometric single token. A stakeholder cooperative model, using real-time data management, melds ‘what the traveller carries’ with ‘who the traveller is’. We must eliminate the legacy silos the industry has been carrying for decades.”
Peeking into the future, Leitmann predicts a transformation of traditional paper ID’s into digital identification, carried in mobile devices, which will completely modify how travellers move through airports and how the aviation industry identifies individuals. “A key question to consider, as aviation industry digitalisation accelerates, is how governments and industry can develop a multi-stakeholder approach that defines the appropriate use of personal data. Our Orchestra identity management platform addresses this problem with its Privacy by Design certification. The system meets the levels of privacy and security enacted by new rules anywhere on the globe, including GDPR. It offers ideal interoperability and compatibility virtually worldwide, for a secure biometric identification, empowering a much faster and seamless experience, while assuring data privacy.”
Meanwhile, apart from innovative partnerships with major airports, airlines and governments in Seamless Flow programmes, Leitmann is also looking forward to the introduction of Vision-Box’s new digital ID projects that have the potential to be “game-changers”.
