Smarty Flow program presented during visit by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa to the company’s HQ
Portuguese Government invests in Smart Cities technology
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa visited Vision-Box headquarters following the celebration of an agreement for the implementation of an innovation program in the scope of Smart Cities. The Smarty Flow program is a strategic program, fostering the economy, innovation, security and citizen experience. Other personalities present were the Secretary of State for Internationalization Eurico Brilhante Dias and high ranked innovation government institutions. The delegation was received by Vision-Box Chairman Bento Correia and CEO Miguel Leitmann.
What is Smarty Flow?
Smarty Flow aims to create a platform for the use of virtual identity documents to expedite the process of identifying citizens at airports, ports and in the use of additional services that imply the identification of the consumer, such as hotels, car rental, travel agencies, entertainment, among others. The user may use their biometrics (face, fingerprint or iris) as proof of identity to be authenticated, via agile self-service processes that do not require the citizen to produce any physical documents.
The new identification experience is based on the use of mobile phones, such as cell phones, tablets, and others, containing the digital identity document securely virtualized and ready for any interactions.
Why is this innovative?
First, the innovative character of the solution lies in the presentation of a modern way of life, in which any interactions between a citizen and an entity or service are facilitated, happening instantly and without using any physical document.
Secondly, the solution is based on an information management platform based on rigorous privacy principles. The Seamless Journey Platform was recently certified by the world’s largest data Privacy-by-Design authority, the Ryerson University Center of Excellence. Seamless Journey Platform is actually the only platform in the world certified in Privacy-By-Design, which means that it is the only one ready to face the new challenges and regulations concerning privacy and security in the management of personal information.
In addition, the cutting-edge technology used by Smarty Flow combines biometrics and mobile identity with IoT (Internet Of Things) and its own unique Human-Machine Interaction models. It presents an exceptional human factor based on technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.
When can we experience Smarty Flow?
Smarty Flow is under development. It is foreseen that until the end of 2018 a pilot project is implemented in the Lisbon Airport. The goal will test the technology and the new experience. Holding a mobile phone with an approved virtual identity, passengers will go through every identification moment at the airport, without having to stop or show their passport.
The solution to implement will recognize the mobile device and the corresponding identity and biometrically verify if the passenger is the rightful owner of that mobile phone and the identity information.
2019 will see the experience extended to car rental, hotels, entertainment, and other domains.
Relevance of the project
The project has a strategic relevance for the national economy, further reinforcing the image of the country as a recognized innovation stage. Additionally, the implementation of the project is very relevant to secure our borders while it is also expected that it has a positive effect on tourism, a strategic sector of the country.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister António Costa stated: “Today the issue of borders is absolutely crucial because it is increasingly necessary to strengthen safety and control in circulation, but at the same time to create the smallest possible obstacle and the maximum freedom possible for this circulation to be done smoothly ”
[This innovation] “(…) enables the government to better manage their resources, while better serving the citizens and those who visit us. And at the same time, the national industry gets stronger in the only way possible: by innovating. I’d like to thank Vision-Box and its employees for the excellent example of their contribution to Portugal and how they will keep pushing Portugal beyond the boundaries of innovation around the world.”
Date: 14/05/2018
