SAKULaLa Expands Biometrics for Hands-Free Living in Japan

In a significant move towards a hands-free lifestyle, SAKULaLa, the biometric service collaboration between Tobu Railway and Hitachi, is set to enhance daily life in Japan. With the introduction of facial recognition to their existing vein authentication, users can expect a seamless experience in various scenarios, such as railway ticket gates, retail payments, and entry/exit management.

SAKULaLa's aim is to create a society where individuals can comfortably live without the hassle of having to carry their belongings everywhere. This initiative targets issues such as labor shortages and digital divides, further highlighting the necessity for safe, easy-to-use authentication methods. As Japan faces the challenges brought on by an aging population and rising impersonation cases, the advancement of biometric solutions has become vital.

Starting on November 13, 2023, SAKULaLa's facial recognition feature will be available for use at the Tobu Utsunomiya Line ticket gates, specifically at 12 stations between Utsunomiya and Tochigi. Regular users of transport cards can register their facial information through the SAKULaLa app, allowing them to pass through the ticket gate simply by showing their face to an independent tablet installed at the station. This information is captured securely and deleted immediately after verification, ensuring user privacy and security.

The collaboration with major ticket machine manufacturers, including Omron Social Solutions, Japan Signal, Toshiba, and Panasonic Connect, aims to integrate facial recognition technology into their automatic ticket gates. By spring 2026, these upgrades will facilitate smoother entry and exit for passengers, enhancing overall transit efficiency.

In addition to the railway sector, SAKULaLa's services will penetrate retail environments as well. Working alongside JCB, a leading payment service provider, SAKULaLa will begin to implement facial recognition in commercial settings using the JET-S payment terminals, which represent almost 50% of all payment terminals in the country.

This partnership marks a significant step towards increasing cashless transactions in Japan, allowing stores and hotels to adopt SAKULaLa easily by using its application. The resulting system will permit customers to authenticate their identity using facial recognition for payments, rewards collection, and more, all without needing physical cards or cash.

Moreover, the integration of SAKULaLa’s technology into entrance/exit management systems in workplaces and sports clubs is also on the horizon. Users will soon find themselves able to access these venues using mere facial recognition, removing the need for physical security cards.

Background and Future Prospects

SAKULaLa's innovative approach reflects a comprehensive understanding of societal needs. By recognizing that solely relying on traditional vein authentication could hinder effective service deployment, the decision to incorporate facial recognition offers a broader degree of usability across various environments.

Registration for facial recognition is as straightforward as capturing a photo with a smartphone through the SAKULaLa app, alleviating previous concerns surrounding hardware requirements at different sites.

The collaboration with JCB also indicates a proactive approach toward creating new cashless solutions, leveraging the capabilities of various partners to expedite service expansion and ensure consumer safety and convenience. This collaboration will ultimately lead to a more integrated service framework across different sectors, benefitting a broader demographic, from seniors to younger generations.

As the push for AI-enhanced services gains momentum, SAKULaLa is set to play a pivotal role in the future of Japan's transportation systems, retail transactions, and secure access management. The ability to interconnect multiple systems while providing enhanced consumer experiences predicts a promising trajectory for the initiative.

In summary, SAKULaLa stands at the forefront of a revolution in biometrics and everyday connectivity in Japan. With a focus on user-friendly solutions that cater to the complexities of modern life, SAKULaLa is paving the way towards a truly hands-free lifestyle, ensuring both security and convenience for all citizens.

For More Information
You can visit the official websites for more on SAKULaLa's biometric services: