Royal Caribbean, which has been among the cruise industry leaders in adding technology to passenger experience, has now filed a U.S. patent application for a system that will allow your face to be your door key.
Currently, most Royal Caribbean and Crystal passengers use a ‘SeaPass’ card as a room key, as well as using it for other entries and purchases aboard ship. On some ships, a smartphone app can also serve the purpose.
The patent application describes a device that may be installed “within or near stateroom doors of a cruise ship.” It would use a wide-angle camera and face recognition software to determine whether you are authorized to enter. The application also says the technology could be implemented via mobile device. Only authorized employees, such as cabin stewards, would be admitted by the system.
Potentially, the system could also operate ‘personalization’ features of the room, such as setting temperature and lighting to your taste, adjusting the shades and more. Since the system also makes the wide-angle door video available to guests inside the cabin, it could also function like a home security system and electronic doorbell.
RC is already using facial recognition software to speed boarding in most of its cruise terminals.
