The presentation, “Entering the Stadium with the Palm of Your Hand,” by Dirk Piens (KAA Gent) and Marc Strackx (Palmki), highlighted the implementation of palm vein recognition technology for stadium access.
Key Discussion Points:
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Motivation for Biometric Solutions:
- Traditional manual ID and name ticket checks were error-prone, time-consuming, and unpopular among both fans and stewards.
- Amendments to Belgian football law in July 2023 increased clubs’ responsibility for secure and efficient access.
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Why Palm Vein Technology?
- Palm vein recognition captures an image of the veins in the palm, requiring no physical contact, making it hygienic and safe.
- Offers the highest accuracy among biometric methods, with low false rejection and acceptance rates.
- Resistant to environmental factors, works only with living tissue, and is cost-effective compared to other biometric technologies.
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Project Timeline and Phases:
- Phase 1 (Summer 2024): Baseline survey completed.
- Phase 2 (2024-2025): Testing with 600-1,000 fans and employees across specific entrances, with ongoing feedback collection.
- Phase 3 (Spring 2025): Expansion to away matches.
- Phase 4 (Spring 2025): Testing biometric payments at stadium facilities.
- Phase 5 (Autumn 2025): Final survey to evaluate technical reliability and user experience.
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Supporter Enrollment Process:
- Fans pre-register online before a match and complete ID and season ticket verification at the stadium.
- Linking the palm to a season ticket takes approximately 16 seconds, enabling a seamless onboarding process.
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Applications and Benefits:
- Fastlane Access: Accelerated and secure entry for fans.
- Enhanced Fan Experience: Potential uses include payments, loyalty programs, and smart waste management.
- Evolved from a security-focused initiative to a comprehensive fan engagement product.
Key Takeaways:
- Palm vein technology offers a hygienic, accurate, and efficient solution for stadium access.
- The phased implementation approach ensures thorough testing and fan feedback integration.
- By expanding applications beyond access control, KAA Gent is creating a multi-functional system that enhances the overall fan experience.
This presentation demonstrated how biometric technology can modernize stadium operations, improve security, and deliver a more engaging and efficient experience for fans.
Check out the full presentation here.
