Tokyo 2020: First Olympics to deploy facial recognition technology

Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympics to use facial recognition technology to increase security around all venues.

• For this, games organisers have partnered with Japanese telecommunications and information technology giant NEC to develop the first system of this kind to be implemented at an Olympics games.

About the technology:

• The facial recognition technology will use IC chips within identification cards to automatically verify the identity of those entering over 40 sporting venues.
• The system will not be aimed at spectators but instead will concentrate on strengthening security and decreasing waiting times for athletes.
• This system will help to prevent fraudulent entry by people borrowing, stealing or faking an ID card.
• The technology takes only 0.3 seconds to match up face with pre-registered photo, making it the world’s fastest facial recognition system.
• More than 40 facilities, including main stadium, International Broadcast Centre, Olympic village and so on, will have this system.
• More than 300,000 athletes and Games staff will have to submit photographs to the database before the Olympics start in July 2020.

Need for this type of security:

• Higher security is needed for people involved in Olympics as they enter important areas.
• Tokyo’s Olympic venues do not always have enough space for security check or even space to wait for security check.
• When events are happening, many people are expected to come and that is why this facial recognition is introduced.
• NEC already has tested this technology during the Rio 2016 Olympics and have already implemented it in various locations, including airports.
• During the demonstration, the technology had correctly identified a string of people, including those in wheelchairs and of varying heights.

Questions:

Q1. What will be the venue for the 2020 Olympics?
a. London
b. Beijing
c. Tokyo
d. Sydney

Q2. Which technology will be used to increase security around all venues in the 2020 Olympics?
a. Retina Scan technology
b. Finger Print Scan technology
c. Facial Recognition technology
d. None of the above