The 3D Face Project

Project description
The use of three-dimensional recognition systems could mean significant improvements in access and border control performance. This is why 16 European partners have come together to form a consortium. The 3D Face project, which is sponsored by the EU, focuses on the development and testing of software and hardware components for three-dimensional face recognition.

By combining precise information on the profile, the colour and structure of the face, 3D recognition systems can now process any change in the position of the head better than before. The system is even able to differentiate between the real person and their photograph. In combination with traditional 2D face recognition, this procedure is even more secure and reliable.

Implementation
Bundesdruckerei, as a project partner, is responsible for electrical document personalisation and for the integration and testing of the components under real conditions. The software and hardware components, which were developed within the scope of the project, have been integrated into an overall system and installed at Berlin-Schönefeld and Salzburg airport.

The biometric reference features are written onto a contactless chip card using Bundesdruckerei's PERSOTEC ® software and are read out using Bundesdruckerei's VISOTEC Expert 300 document verification device in order to compare them with the live features.

  Special note
An end-user group was set up within the scope of the project. Anybody with an interest is welcome to attend the meetings. For more information, go to: www.3DFace.org

Technical details
Term: 1 April 2006 - 31 March 2009
Feature: Face
Volume scenario

• Pilot system at Schönefeld airport with 130 participants and 17,355 verifications within three months
• Pilot system at Salzburg airport with approx. 100 participants, launched in October 2008.

Link: www.3DFace.org
Project financing: DG Information Society and Media ICT for Trust and Security Unit
www.cordis.europa.eu/ist/trust-security/index.html
Call: FP6-2004/IST/4

Contact:
Bundesdruckerei GmbH
Björn Brecht / brecht@bdr.de