Tokyo, December 3, 2025 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has developed a groundbreaking walk-through face and iris multimodal biometric authentication technology, enabling verification of individuals who are in motion, even in scenarios requiring strict identity verification. This technology combines NEC's world-leading face and iris recognition technologies (*1) to authenticate users (*2) with high accuracy and speed, both indoors and outdoors, even while they are walking. This allows users to enjoy the convenience of hands-free identity verification, while facilities can enhance security and alleviate congestion.

NEC will commence proof-of-concept trials with customers in the 2026 fiscal year, aiming for implementation in the 2027 fiscal year at critical facilities that require stringent identity verification, thereby contributing to the realization of a safe, secure, and efficient society.

In recent years, biometric authentication has become widespread in important facilities that require strict identity verification. These facilities have traditionally used two-factor authentication combining biometric authentication with card presentation or password entry. This process is often time-consuming, leading to congestion within facilities. Additionally, there are concerns that cards and passwords can be lost, stolen, or forgotten, resulting in growing demand for more secure and convenient identity verification methods.

NEC has developed a biometric authentication technology that enhances user convenience and security by leveraging its long-established biometric authentication expertise and cutting-edge AI technology.

Key Features of the Technology

1. Achieves rigorous identity verification through a combination of world-leading face and iris recognition technologies

The solution combines face recognition technology that has repeatedly ranked No. 1 in benchmark tests by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with iris recognition technology that also achieved the top position in NIST tests. This not only enables higher accuracy than a single biometric method, but can instantly identify users from a database of over 100 million registered individuals, even while they are walking.

2. Robust Authentication Utilizing NEC's Proprietary AI Technology: Foundation Model Learning

NEC's proprietary AI technology, which applies self-teacher-based foundation model learning to iris authentication, accurately captures biometric features even under adverse conditions that typically hinder authentication—such as motion blur, looking away, or wearing glasses. Consequently, users are not required to stop or peer into a device, and authentication can be completed while walking at a natural pace, even from three meters away.

3. Easy construction enables flexible adaptation in a wide range of environments

The technology can be implemented with minimal components, consisting of a compact camera, infrared light, a processing unit, and a results display. Furthermore, it maintains high authentication accuracy in a wide range of environments—such as outdoors, backlit conditions, low-light settings, and areas with shadows caused by light blocking—enabling seamless integration into existing entrances, gates, or other locations. No special construction work or extensive environmental modifications are required.

Going forward, NEC will expand this technology to situations where strict identity verification and smooth movement are required, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure society.

***

Notes:

Related Link

High-accuracy identification done easy
Lightweight and high-speed face and iris multimodal biometric recognition
https://www.nec.com/en/global/rd/technologies/202406/index.html

About NEC
The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.

For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.