Tourists visiting Singapore can now check in at some hotels using facial recognition technology under a pilot programme that could cut waiting times and help tackle a labour crunch. The tech-savvy country of 5.7 million people is increasingly turning to automation to speed up services and deal with workforce shortages, with robots deployed for tasks ranging from cleaning to making noodles. Under the pilot launched Wednesday, visitors will not need to wait to be checked in by hotel staff but can instead use a phone app fitted with facial recognition technology or machines which scan their passports. The data from the scan is sent to immigration authorities for checks after which the visitor is issued a room key, said the Singapore Tourism Board and Hotel Association, which announced the initiative this week. The technology, reportedly being trialled at three hotels and is similar to that used in some airports including Singapore's Changi, could reduce check-in times by up to 70 percent, they said. Singapore welcomed a record high 18.5 million visitors last year, up 6.2 percent from the year before. The city has more than 400 hotels with 67,000 rooms.
Hotels in Singapore have launched facial recognition check - in technology to reduce guest waiting times and tackle a labour shortage . The pilot scheme at three hotels will offer guests a mobile app with facial recognition technology or a passport scanner with links to immigration authorities through which they obtain a room key . Singapore Tourism Board and Hotel Association said the project could cut check - in times by up to 50 % and used similar technology to a scheme already running in some airports , including Changi in Singapore .