CardGuide international

• Skycore LLC's codeREADr app authenticates NFC transactions embedded in tags, wristbands, FOBs and phones.
• First pilot tracks & validates reusable, rechargeable NFC wristbands for secure ticketing and stored value.

Skycore LLC, developers of the commercial barcode and NFC validation app, codeREADr, are powering the first pilot where reusable, rewearable NFC-embedded wristbands can be tracked and validated using mobile, NFC-enabled Android devices. Wristbands embedded with NFC chips are currently used by some festival organizers to improve ticket security. Some multi-use transit cards, like Boston's CharlieCard, include NFC chips to enable fast, contactless validation. However, in both cases those tickets are typically validated either with stationary hardware or expensive mobile computers.

Vision-Box announced the general availability of the first single sourced multimodal biometric ABC eGate. Based on the fastest and thinnest ABC eGate ever produced, the eGate was recently deployed at Schiphol (NL) airport, the 6th busiest Airport in the world by international passenger traffic. This new eGate fully supports iris, fingerprint, and facial recognition biometrics. vb i-match is the first of its kind to be single sourced, designed while keeping in mind the traveler experience and enabling validation of electronic ID documents in 100% of the cases.

Following a competitive tender, Parkeon Transit has won a contract with Translink to supply 275 of its advanced Parkeon P50 handheld ticket machines for use on train services. The new units will be rolled out in 2013 and will not only offer cash and contactless smart card transactions but will also handle payment by chip and PIN credit/debit card and contactless EMV.

Mal McGreevy, Translink's General Manager, Rail Services said "Translink have been pioneers in innovative smart ticketing technology with customer smartcards electronically accepted on-train since 2002. These new P50 ticket machines will make it easy and convenient for our customers to purchase tickets on board with their credit and debit cards including EMV Contactless transactions. "

A program range estimate of 40 to 80 Million secure documents over the contract period

Gemalto announced that it has been selected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to supply in the range of 40 to 80 million secure Sealys documents for a variety of official permits. These include in particular digital tachograph cards, the next generation of highly-secure polycarbonate driver's licenses, and biometric residence permits, in a multi-year contract.

Cubic grants $500,000 over five years for technology research to benefit travelers

Cubic Transportation Systems and the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) have entered into a collaborative partnership to research the next generation of intelligent travel technologies for cities. Cubic will contribute $500,000 over five years to the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering to fund research done by faculty, students and Cubic Transportation Systems staff.  The project aims to achieve a better understanding of the application and utilization of emerging technologies, with the ultimate goal of making transportation easier, more convenient, more economical and environmentally greener for transit operators and their customers.

Access IS has become an IATA (International Air Transport Association) Strategic Partner in order to participate with the development of a standard to assist the airline industry accelerate the adoption of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology for secure, efficient passenger processing.

Major airports and airlines worldwide use Access boarding gate readers (BGRs), and passport readers. The company has recently announced that all of its BGRs can now be upgraded for NFC operation by changing the bases of the units for NFC-enabled versions. The physical footprints of the BGRs and their existing functions are unaffected by the change, which takes very little time to implement on each unit.

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has achieved a milestone in the production of the Nation's passport for the Department of State (DOS). GPO has produced 75 million electronic passports at its secure production facilities in Washington, D.C. and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. GPO first started producing electronic passports in 2005. The passport includes an integrated, secure chip and antenna. GPO has been responsible for passport production for DOS since the 1920s. Both of GPO's passport production facilities are ISO 9001 certified. ISO is the International Organization for Standardization and the world's largest developer of international standards used by government, business and new information technology companies and agencies. These globally recognized standards of excellence for production and quality processes assure customers that the agency or company meets their expectations.

Technology allows drivers to reserve rooms while driving and open guestroom locks with car keys.

VingCard Elsafe has partnered with BMW Group on the development of revolutionary technology that will enable drivers to book hotel rooms on the go and then access their guestrooms using their car keys. The collaboration between VingCard Elsafe and the BMW Group will change the way travelers book last-minute hotel reservations. This is how the system works in the research project: Employing BMW's advanced vehicle navigation systems, drivers can conduct searches for available hotels nearby. Then, leveraging an interface with Micros-Fidelio hotel property management systems, drivers can book their hotel of choice.

Once the reservation is booked, the vehicle navigation system guides the driver to the hotel and notifies him or her of the assigned room number. Upon arrival at the property, the guest can proceed straight to the room, bypassing the check-in process. The guest's BMW key, which is equipped with next-generation Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, has by now wirelessly received an access code for the guestroom lock. The BMW key communicates with the NFC-enabled VingCard Elsafe lock to open the door.

NBS Technologies Inc. integrated their new open card format printer, the Javelin FLX, into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. This printer will be used to issue all personalized rewards, temporary access, and key cards for the Hard Rock Hotel's Backstage Pass loyalty program. Launched in 2012, the Backstage Pass loyalty program, rewards guests for engaging in activities across the property, including gaming, dining, drink, partying and sleeping. The FLX card printers are a crucial part of the Hard Rock Hotel Vegas' overhaul of their loyalty program.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced availability of MIFARE4Mobile as an embedded applet on the latest and upcoming NXP embedded secure elements to support mobile ticketing for the sizeable MIFARE Classic system install base worldwide. The solution is available now in NXP's newest stacked solution the PN65O, incorporating the bestselling PN544 NFC controller and recently enhanced SmartMX based P5 secure application platform (embedded secure element).