Frontex foresight project identifies 20 biometric categories for future relevance

Research project'Technology Foresight on Biometrics' from EU border security agency Frontex, which studies the impact of emerging biometric technologies on the facilitation of border crossing at the EU external borders, has completed two new steps. Frontex announced the tender for the project in September 2021 with a contract value of EUR 500,000 (US$590,000). The project, led by Steinbeis 2i together with three subcontracted partners (4CF, ERREQUADRO and WAT) has been examining how to maximize the future benefits of biometrics in border management while minimizing its risks and ensuring full compliance with the existing legal, ethical and technological constraints. The research team created a taxonomy of biometric technologies and carried out a Delphi survey to gather information on key technologies. Looking at the taxonomy of technologies early on provides foresight into areas which need to be addressed, according to the report, and establishes a common and systematic understanding of the technological field.