Recognition Systems, Inc.
1520 Dell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008 USA
(408) 341-4100
(408) 341-4101 Fax
www.handreader.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Info:
Cheryl Lewis, (502) 261-1176
clewis@powercreative.com
‘Riders in the Sky’ - Stay Safe With RSI HandReaders
STATISTICS:
Industry:
Air Travel
Challenge:
Processing international travelers and maintaining security
Solution:
HandKey HandReader from Recognition Systems, Inc.
Results:
Shorter waiting times for travelers; improved border and airport security
More than 2 million people travel to Israel each year, and many of them go
through Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, one of the world’s busiest air
terminals. In addition, Israeli citizens use the airport on an increasing basis each year.
As a result, airport officials turned to RSI HandReaders and Electronic Data
Systems Corporation (EDS) to help maintain security, increase travelers’ walking speed
and expedite passengers through passport control.
EDS developed an automated inspection system using its Express EntrySM
technology. The system includes 21 automatic inspection kiosks throughout the airport.
The kiosks are equipped with RSI’s HandKey HandReaders, which measure the size
and shape of a person’s hand. The collected data is compared with a template stored in
the Express EntrySM System. If it matches, the person’s identity is confirmed. The
template verification process takes less than one second.
Israeli citizens and frequent international travelers at Ben Gurion now go through
the airport’s automatic inspection kiosks. During enrollment, the system captures
biographic information and biometric hand-geometry data. Then during arrival or
departure, travelers use a credit card for initial identification, and the system verifies
their identity with the HandReader. The system then prints a receipt to allow travelers to
proceed.
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Ben Gurion Airport 010627
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Ben Gurion Airport
Israel Ben Haim, managing director of Ben Gurion International Airport, is
extremely pleased with the system. “Tighter security expedites air travel, and more
efficient operations help make our airport one of the world’s best,” he said.
Most of the people using the automatic inspection kiosks are known frequent
flyers who are considered low risk. As a result, airport and border security authorities
can focus on unknown travelers, which improves security and reduces waiting times.
For example, the automated inspection process takes 20 seconds; passport control
lines can take up to an hour.
Ben Gurion’s biometric identification system has reduced or in some cases
eliminated waiting times for travelers. Nearly 80,000 Israeli citizens have enrolled in the
system. In 2000, an airport expansion increased the number of kiosks, and the system
completed more than 1 million inspections by the end of the year.
The project initially targeted only frequent travelers, but it has been expanded to
include all Israeli citizens. It is now processing about 50,000 passengers per month.
The automatic inspection system has even garnered awards. In June 2001, the
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) presented Ben
Gurion International Airport Authority with a Golden Link Award for excellence and
innovation in applying technology in government operations.
About Recognition Systems:
Recognition Systems, Inc., founded in 1986, is the pioneer of hand-recognition technology developed to
meet the growing needs of the commercial access control, time and attendance and identification
markets. RSI’s HandKey HandReaders are installed in a variety of applications, ranging from health
clubs and day-care centers to laboratories and prisons. The company’s hand readers are known
worldwide, with more than 50,000 units installed, reading millions of hands each day. Recognition
Systems is a subsidiary of Ingersoll-Rand Corporation. For more information about RSI, call 408/3414100, or visit www.handreader.com. For more information about IR, visit the company’s Web site at
www.irco.com.
About EDS:
EDS, the leading global services company, provides strategy, implementation and hosting for clients
managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the
world's best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate
boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers' trust and continuously seek improvement.
EDS, with its management-consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world's leading companies
and governments in 55 countries. EDS reported revenues of $19.2 billion in 2000. The company's stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange.
Ben Gurion Airport 010627