At the time of application for a new Swedish passport, a photograph and a signature from the applicant are captured in a Speed-Identity photo station, which is placed adjacent to the officer handling the passport application. The photo station verifies that the quality of the captured photo is in line with international standards, and that the photograph is suitable for verification by facial recognition software. This portion of the Swedish biometric passport program is expected to be introduced beginning of October 2005 with the initial roll-out of approximately 200 enrolment kiosks across the country. Sweden estimates that it processes more than one million passport applicants each year. The initial contract for is for a term of five years.

“The solution from Snabbfoto, which integrates Identix’ facial recognition technology, was the only solution that complies with all our requirements,” said Thomas Wahlberg, Project Manager for “New Travel Documents” at the Swedish National Police Board. “The solution from Snabbfoto supports our vision of the new application process in an efficient manner.”

Snabbfoto Business Area Manager Magnus Svenningson said, “We conducted an extensive competitive analysis of multiple facial recognition technologies prior to putting together our team. Identix was a cut above the rest, clearly demonstrated by their ability to provide multiple biometric technologies, relationships and the requisite understanding of Sweden’s program goals. Identix was a logical choice.”

Identix President & CEO Dr. Joseph J. Atick commented, “Sweden, a country well known for taking leadership steps in the adoption of the latest in technological advances, is among the first countries to announce its initial compliance with the recommendations of ICAO for the adoption of biometrics into travel document. With the October 2005 U.S. deadline for all 27 visa-waiver countries to adopt facial recognition into their passport issuance process rapidly approaching, we expect to see many other Nations follow Sweden’s lead. Speed-Identity has assembled a strong team and is providing Sweden with an excellent solution. We look forward to working very closely with Swedish National Police Board and with Speed Identity to meet any and all of their biometric needs.”