HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Redstone Arsenal wants to change the way visitors check in -- with technology! But first, it will have to go through a series of tests. Here is how the base is creating an easier and faster way to check in!
Facial recognition is nothing new at Redstone Arsenal, but now the base is working to speed up the check-in process. One way they are testing this out is by letting visitors register for a visit on their phone.
Garrison Chief of Physical Security Brian Reinwald said for the arsenal, this is this is a research and development project. "Facial recognition will not be used right now other than through this research and development project," he said. "If the department of the army or the department of defense decided that they wanted to utilize that capability, that would allow a civilian, a contractor or visitor to from their house, utilize their cell phone to register, allow us to do the background checks, be vetted and enrolled in the system without coming to our visitor center."
This research project is something more long term. "Five, six years down the road that the department of the army may say we want to expand the facial recognition capability. At that point, then it might assist the arsenal in being able to get multiple, vehicle occupants through the lanes and onto the installation in a more efficient manner. "
Idemia NSS Program Manager Mike Lucy explained that the biggest difference for drivers is that they don't have to stop. "So all I do as a driver is I simply just drive through the lane. In the technology, the cameras will take my picture and I can just keep on going."
Furthermore, if you have anyone riding with you previous approval dictates other passengers. "The approval that I get ahead of time will dictate if I'm able to bring all of the passengers in my car or depending on the facial recognition scan of the passengers in the car, if we need to stop so that additional credentials can be checked."