The mechanism for real-time monitoring covers security and passport control as well.

After the Emirates and its neighbours successfully used connectivity and digitisation to avoid any significant outbreak during the pandemic, life is getting back on track in the new normal, as the country has opened doors to tourists. The smart solutions and consistency of online services that attracted expats working remotely or looking for a better lifestyle, is also being used to ensure social distancing during sports events as well as tech exhibitions being hosted by the UAE.

Following use of robots to sanitise airports and digital medical records that made verification of covid reports easier, Dubai made news by deploying scanners with facial recognition, to do away with the process of checking passports. Catching up with other major Emirati cities on their journey towards the future, Sharjah has also embedded its airport with more than a hundred sensors, to monitor passengers in real-time.

Along with 112 sensors which will collect data on passenger flow and manage queues at the busy airport, the premises will also have automated verification for boarding passes. Together these systems are meant to accelerate security checks, passport control and the check in process for passengers, while providing contactless services in the post pandemic era.

The sensors are connected to operational systems of the airport and are also linked with airlines, to ensure that people board their flights without glitches. The verification system is equipped for scanning both printouts as well as passes generated on smartphones, before comparing them with existing info in the database.

Adoption of smart tech at Sharjah airport was just a matter of time after Bahrain also followed Dubai and set up self-service kiosks at the new terminal in Manama. To add to that, the facility now has robots with UV tech to wipe out viruses and protect passengers.

Speaking of ultraviolet rays, droids with similar tech are currently being used to sanitise airplanes. At the same time carriers like Emirates Airlines are allowing people to access the lounge and control in-flight entertainment via smartphone apps.