Smart technology is molding Dubai's future, where your face could soon become your currency, and your commute may involve flying taxis and breezing through smart gates for public transport. So, what's the next major innovation?

Dubai residents might soon navigate airports without needing passports, visas, or any physical travel documents. This insight comes from integrated solutions provider Emaratech, which is currently at the Gitex technology exhibition that commenced in Dubai. Ahmed Bahaa, the product manager overseeing the seamless check-in service at Emaratech, stated, "When a traveler arrives at the airport, we will already have their information, including flight details and visa status."

At the check-in counter, travelers will experience an efficient process where their photos are taken, and their facial features are scanned. Their complete travel itinerary and data will be readily available, making luggage check-in a seamless procedure.
Their photos will continue to play a role throughout their travel journey," explained Ahmed. "Upon reaching immigration, instead of visiting a counter, travelers can proceed directly to the smart gate. At the smart gate, there's no need for them to present any physical travel documents, as their photo and facial ID serve as sufficient proof."

After clearing immigration, passengers can head to duty-free areas, where their facial recognition and biometrics will verify their identity. The same process will apply at the boarding gate as well.

"Travel will be straightforward for people departing from Dubai airport, as long as they pass security checks without issues and have no fines or visa-related problems," Ahmed assured.

As for the timeline for implementing these measures, Ahmed could not provide a specific date. He mentioned, "The smart gate is already in place for immigration at Dubai airport. However, regarding check-in and the boarding gate, we are in discussions with Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airport, and immigration authorities. Given the complexity of this project, it requires multiple agreements and careful coordination, so we are still in the process of finalizing it."

Emaratech, Ahmed noted, is responsible for providing all the necessary hardware and systems to make this vision a reality. "We've established all the integrations to create a seamless experience for travelers," he added. "We hope to see it implemented at airports in the near future."

In September, Emirates airline officials stated that they would soon enable passengers to check in and board aircraft by verifying their identity. Dubai Airports has been actively working on the project, leveraging advanced biometric technology, which is currently undergoing trials at the Dubai International Airport.

Last year, the first phase of a similar biometric check-in system was introduced at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, allowing passengers to obtain a boarding pass and access other services through their facial scans.