A paperless biometrics platform based on open source technology and open standards, going by the name of OpenGate, has been developed collaboratively by uqudo and iLabs Technologies with integrated technology from TECH5 to bring COVID-19 contact tracing and immunity digital certificates to decentralized travel programs.
OpenGate is intended for integrations through an API and SDK with programs like ‘Known Traveler Digital Identity‘ (KTDI) by the World Economic Forum and ‘One ID’ from IATA and the World Bank’s ID4D initiative. The aim is to return confidence in flying to people, without sacrificing their confidence in the security and privacy of their sensitive personal health and location data.
The project was runner up at the #EUvsVirus Hackathon, where it gained traction with the SkyTeam Airline alliance, UNDP, GSMA, World Bank and others, according to a DevPost story. The hackathon was organized by the European Commission under the patronage of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, and OpenGate now moves on to a DemoDay as one of 30 projects selected.
OpenGate offers a touchless, automated seamless travel solution based on a trustworthy platform and specification for the sharing of personal data between people, devices, health organizations and border control systems. Individuals maintain control and ownership of their personal data in a system supporting inclusiveness, openness, data privacy, data sovereignty, and data security, the developers told Biometric Update in a joint statement.
TECH5 provided its T5-MBAP multi-biometric authentication platform for 1:1 matching. The platform supports rapid integration with a single REST API, which enabled the team to complete the integration in a day, supported by the SDK, developer documentation and licenses, Tech5 CEO Machiel van der Harst writes.
Biometric verification against the ePassport through NFC links the individual to a GPS location to prove they are remaining in place as agreed to, and OpenGate can integrate with private permissioned blockchain platforms to enhance the trustworthiness of the consented personal data sharing. The platform is built on a modular architecture with microservices for scalability and security.
“This is not an app, it is an inclusive and open standards platform that can have a number of interfaces including contact tracing apps, health certificates, biometric border control systems and airline or travel and tourism apps,” says uqudo Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of iLabs Harm Jan Arendshorst in an email.
The solution is used in a repatriation program developed by uqudo for Sudanese travelers stranded outside of the country’s border, which is currently in a proof of concept and pilot phase. TECH5 facial recognition is used in onboarding and the proposed self-quarantine phase.