CarMen – Non-stop Biometric Border Control for Secure and Efficient Crossing

Project title
CarMen

Program
Horizon Europe

Role
Project partner

Implementation period
1.9.2024. – 31.8.2027.

Total project value
€2,998,347.88

Co-financing from the EU
€2,998,347.88

Contact person
Lana Frković
Email: lana.trifunic@notitia.hr

Purpose of the project
The CarMen project addresses the growing need for more efficient and secure border management across Europe. By using biometrics on the move, the project aims to eliminate delays and queues at borders without compromising safety. This will contribute to smoother border crossing experiences and strengthen overall security within the Schengen Area and beyond.

Short description of the project
The CarMen project is financed under the HORIZON EUROPE Programme and is focused on creating a scalable, fully automated biometric system. This system will perform non-stop identification of travellers in various modes of transportation, including vehicles and on foot. By utilizing Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs), face recognition, and other biometric technologies, the project will improve the efficiency and security of border crossings at European external borders. The system will be tested at various border points, including Greece, France, and the United Kingdom.

General project objective
The CarMen project aims to develop innovative biometric solutions that allow for border control processes to be conducted seamlessly, without the need for travellers to stop or interact with physical documents. By integrating AI-driven biometric systems, the project contributes to both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, while ensuring the highest level of privacy and security.

Specific objectives of the project

1. Enable biometric verification of passengers in slowly moving vehicles, including face recognition under various lighting and weather conditions.
2. Demonstrate the use of Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) for seamless identification during border crossings.
3. Improve border security by detecting suspicious behaviour and anomalies in pedestrian and vehicle crossings.
4. Ensure energy efficiency in biometric processing through AI-based systems that minimize resource consumption.
5. Develop solutions that ensure robust biometric performance across different scenarios (e.g., poor lighting, weather conditions).
6. Test and validate the biometric systems in Greece, France, and the United Kingdom, ensuring operational effectiveness in different border environments.
7. Ensure the project’s compliance with GDPR and other European data protection and privacy regulations.

Consortium
The CarMen Project brings together 15 partner organizations from across Europe, ensuring a diverse range of expertise in biometrics, AI, and border management. The key partners include:

• Yncra Méditerranée (Coordinator, France)
• Yncra Ouest (France)
• Idiap Research Institute (Switzerland)
• Hochschule Darmstadt (Germany)
• University of Reading (UK)
• Thales DIS (France)
• IDEMIA Identity and Security France (France)
• Brittany Ferries (France)
• ARCLAN (France)
• Cabinet Louis Reynaud (France)
• Center for Security Studies (Greece)
• Hellenic Police (Greece)
• Home Office (UK)
• French Ministry of Interior (France)
• Notitia Ltd (Croatia).

Pilot testing locations
The CarMen project will be tested at various pilot sites to ensure the robustness and scalability of the biometric systems across different border environments. The pilot testing locations include:

• Greece: Testing the use of biometric systems for pedestrian and vehicle crossings at a key land border point.
• France: Focus on ferry and vehicle crossings, integrating biometrics on the move solutions for passengers.
• United Kingdom: Testing non-stop biometric verification for vehicles and pedestrians at a major international border, with a particular focus on facial recognition and Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs).

Technological innovations
The CarMen project is at the forefront of biometric technology development, introducing several key innovations that set it apart:

• Biometrics on the Move: CarMen allows for the seamless identification of travellers without the need to stop at border points, reducing waiting times while maintaining high-security standards.
• Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs): Travellers will no longer need to present physical documents. Instead, biometric data stored securely on their mobile devices will be used for identity verification.
• Energy-Efficient AI: The project emphasizes the use of frugal AI to reduce energy consumption, ensuring that the system is both powerful and sustainable.
• Multimodal Biometric Systems: The integration of facial, iris, and periocular recognition allows for accurate identification across a wide range of conditions, from poor lighting to challenging weather.
• Security and Privacy: Compliance with GDPR and other privacy regulations ensures that traveller data is handled securely and ethically.

Strategic importance
The CarMen Project will play a crucial role in shaping the future of border management in Europe. By enabling non-stop biometric border control, the project supports the goals of the European Union to enhance security, improve the traveller experience, and reduce administrative burdens at borders. Furthermore, the project’s innovations align with the European Green Deal, reducing the need for expanded physical infrastructure by optimizing the use of existing border points.

Expected impact
The successful implementation of CarMen will lead to significant improvements in border management across Europe. The project will:

• Reduce waiting times by up to 90%, allowing for faster and more efficient border crossings.
• Increase security by leveraging advanced biometric technologies to identify potential threats in real-time.
• Enhance the traveller experience, offering a seamless and non-intrusive border control process.
• Support environmental sustainability by reducing the need for physical infrastructure expansions, in line with the European Green Deal.
• Create new jobs across the consortium, particularly in high-tech fields such as AI development, cybersecurity, and biometric engineering.