Georgia Embraces Future of Payments: Biometric Authentication Takes Center Stage in Tbilisi Metro
Revolutionizing Public Transportation Payment Systems
In a bid to revolutionize the way people pay for public transportation in Georgia, the Bank of Georgia has teamed up with Riddletag, a leading facial recognition startup, to introduce biometric authentication technology in the Tbilisi metro system.
A Secure and Convenient Payment Experience
The innovative solution uses 3D facial recognition to provide a secure and convenient payment experience for passengers. The Argo 3D biometric device, developed by Bank of Georgia, consists of:
- Intel RealSense camera
- Up Board computer
- Riddletag Face Analysis software
This unique device is embedded in the turnstile and integrated with the Facecard Cloud service to enable contactless and non-card access to public transport.
Benefits for Passengers and the Bank of Georgia
The benefits of this system are numerous:
- For passengers:
- Reduced use of tickets and travel cards
- Fewer queues to buy a ticket or put money on the travel card
- No need to touch contaminated surfaces such as turnstiles and ticket machines
- Increased security due to biometric verification of passengers
- For the Bank of Georgia:
- Reduced losses from unauthorized access
- Expanded services to other areas, including ATMs, self-service, payment systems in McDonald’s, security measures in hotels, and access control points at casinos
A Model for Innovation and Efficiency
As Georgia becomes the fourth country after China, Russia, and South Korea to implement biometric payments in public transportation, the Tbilisi metro is set to become a model for innovation and efficiency. With 23 stations now equipped with ready-to-use Argo 3D biometric devices based on the Argo 3D kit, passengers can enjoy a safer and more convenient service.
A Step Forward in Georgia’s Commitment to Leveraging Technology
This development marks another step forward in Georgia’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance public services and improve the overall quality of life for its citizens.