The iris recognition immigration system (IRIS) by which registered passengers can enter the UK quickly through automated barriers at certain airports is to be phased out.
It will probably be replaced by automated border control eGates using facial recognition technology, which is rapidly becoming the preferred method for many countries to make immigration checks. Passengers from European Union states can pass the border by scanning the biometric chip in their passports. However, those from outside the EU are excluded.
Facial recognition eGates are more user-friendly and there is no need to enrol.
IRIS makes use of the fact that the pattern of the iris in each person’s eye is unique. This enables a person to be identified simply by looking into a special camera at the IRIS barrier located in the immigration arrival hall.
The IRIS system uses a photograph of the iris pattern, converts it into a digital code and then compares it with others stored in a secure database. If the iris pattern matches the corresponding one on the database and the registration is still valid, that person can enter the UK by passing through the IRIS barrier in the immigration arrival hall.
To enrol in the system, passengers have their iris pattern captured and stored in a database. The process takes about 10 minutes One flaw in the scheme seems to be the need for passengers to have their eyes rescanned every two years.
IRIS is in operation at the following UK airports:
- Four Heathrow terminals
- Manchester terminals 1 and 2
- Birmingham terminal 1
- Gatwick north and south terminals (but see below).
The system cost £4.9 million to develop.
eGates using facial recognition technology are currently is use these UK airports:
- Birmingham International
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- East Midlands
- Gatwick north terminal
- Gatwick south terminal
- Heathrow terminals 1, 3, 4 and 5
- Luton
- Manchester terminals 1 and 2
- Stansted
