Embedding passengers with ID chips

Discussions have been swirling about tagging checked luggage with small chips that will help keep them on the right flights and eliminate lost luggage. But now, tagging has been proposed for passengers at airports to keep them from missing flights and helping to find lost children.

A British site, carrentals.co.uk, notes

University College London electronic engineer, Paul Brennan is leading work on the EU-funded Optag system. He said it combines high resolution panoramic video imaging with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to enhance airport security, safety and efficiency. According to Brennan; “It would work if each passenger were issued with a tag, which could allow location to about one metre accuracy,” he said. “The video and tag data can be merged to give a very powerful surveillance capability.”

Embedding passengers with computer chips has been suggested before and some companies are now working on bluetooth systems that will track passengers through airline terminals.

It’s coming. That’s for sure. Now we need to figure out how to make it work to make life easier at the airport.