SenseTime, the Hong Kong-listed AI company, supplies face-recognition security checks to Chinese airports, matching each passenger to their ID, ticket and luggage.
Founded in 2014 with 5,001 to 10,000 staff, it sells SenseID verification, SensePass identity machines, passenger guidance systems and SenseMars augmented-reality navigation for terminals. Its accuracy and throughput figures are its own.
Beijing Daxing (PKX) opened in 2019 with 58 of its security-check sets, and Beijing Capital (PEK) Terminal 2, Shijiazhuang (SJW) and Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) followed. No airport win since 2019 has been found.
Aviation AI deployments and updates
01 / Deployed · limited scope
SenseTime SenseID face verification at Chengdu Shuangliu security, since 2018
SenseTime has supplied SenseID to Chengdu Shuangliu since 2018, checking passengers' faces against their ID cards at security, the company said on 22 January 2019.
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport opened its first two smart passenger security lanes, in Terminal 2, on 20 May 2019, CAAC News reported on 23 May 2019.
The lanes use AI face recognition to check passengers' ID, with an average of 7 to 8 seconds per passenger, according to the report.
An AI-powered security checkpoint system using face recognition to perform automated person-ID-ticket verification, confirming that each passenger holds the correct identity document and flight ticket.
The problem it addresses
Reduces manual identity verification workload at airport security checkpoints, increases passenger throughput, prevents ticket and luggage mismatches, and improves overall security check efficiency.
Key features
Automated person-ID-ticket triple verification using face recognition
Passenger-to-luggage facial matching at baggage security check
Real-time facial and video analytics
Support for both departure and arrival hall security procedures
4 more features
Over 99.9% accuracy in passenger identification and verification
100% accuracy in person-ID matching
Increased single-passenger inspection rate from 180 to approximately 260 persons per hour
Baggage inspection rate of 792 pieces per hour
Technical specifications (5)
Face recognition engine with deep learning
Person-ID matching accuracy: 100%
Passenger identification accuracy: over 99.9%
Single-passenger throughput: approximately 260 persons per hour (up from 180)
Baggage inspection throughput: 792 pieces per hour
Verified deployments
Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) – SenseTime SenseID face verification at Chengdu Shuangliu security, since 2018Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW) – Two smart passenger security lanes with AI face recognition (Terminal 2)
A face recognition-based identity verification device used at airport security checkpoints to verify passenger identities against their ID cards. Assists security officers with high-accuracy identity confirmation.
The problem it addresses
Supports airport security officers in verifying passenger identity against government-issued ID cards with high accuracy, reducing manual document checking time and error rates.
Key features
Face recognition for passenger identity verification against ID cards
High-accuracy person-to-ID matching
Designed to assist security personnel at airport checkpoints
Technical specifications (1)
Deep learning-based face recognition engine
Verified deployments
Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) – SenseTime SenseID face verification at Chengdu Shuangliu security, since 2018
A self-service airport information system that allows passengers to retrieve personalised flight details, including boarding gate, flight status, navigation route to boarding gate, and departure time, by scanning their face at a terminal kiosk. No manual document input is required.
The problem it addresses
Reduces congestion at information desks and manual wayfinding difficulties by enabling passengers to access real-time flight and gate information through facial recognition self-service kiosks.
Key features
Facial recognition-based passenger identification at self-service kiosks
Retrieval of personalised flight details by face scan
Displays boarding gate, flight status, route to boarding gate, and departure time
No manual document or ticket input required
Technical specifications (1)
Face recognition engine with passenger identity matching
Verified deployments
Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) – SenseTime SenseID face verification at Chengdu Shuangliu security, since 2018Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW) – Two smart passenger security lanes with AI face recognition (Terminal 2)
An augmented reality and mixed reality (MR) platform deployed at airports to improve the passenger digital experience. Uses computer vision and MR to provide AR wayfinding with virtual arrows and guides to help passengers navigate large airport terminals.
The problem it addresses
Addresses passenger navigation challenges in large airport terminals by providing intuitive AR wayfinding overlays, and enhances commercial revenue through AR marketing at retail touchpoints.
Key features
AR arrows and virtual guide for indoor airport navigation
A hardware identity verification terminal using deep learning algorithms and dual infrared (IR) camera liveness detection to perform liveness checks and identity verification at access control points. Listed by the vendor for use at transport terminals and civilian airports, among other deployment scenarios.
The problem it addresses
Provides automated, contactless identity and liveness verification at airport access control and gateway points, operating reliably under challenging lighting conditions including strong backlight, low light, and long distances.
Key features
Deep learning-based face recognition and liveness detection
Dual IR camera liveness detection technology
Automatic exposure adjustment for varied lighting conditions (strong backlight, low light, long distance)
Profile data from the Aerostack companies register; deployment records from the verified register. Evidence grades: T1 first-party confirmation, T2 credible reporting. See Our approach for how records are graded.
Aerostack companies register
Aerostack tracks AI deployments across airports and airlines, with the published evidence behind each record. Photography is real aviation imagery. Record thumbnails may show the named airport or airline; other photographs do not.
