Contactless on-board clearance starts at HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Starting this December, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's Hong Kong Port will implement a "contactless on-board clearance" system, allowing motorists and passengers to cross the border without exiting their vehicles to present relevant documents.

This as the West Kowloon Station will also roll out a facial recognition clearance system.

At the departure hall of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's passenger clearance hall, a "contactless e-clearance system" set up in June is set to expand to other of the bridge's ports upon being scrutinised by authorities.

Addressing the e-clearance expansion, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the government aims to implement a similar contactless system at the West Kowloon Station.

This as a "contactless on-board clearance" system will be implemented at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

As stated in the latest Policy Address, the smart entry system will be rolled out at the port in December, which no longer requires motorists or passengers to exit their vehicles to present identification documents.

They will be allowed to cross the border simply via facial recognition.

Some lawmakers, however, raised concerns about the machines' accuracy during the identification process.

There could be many passengers in the car.

Do they need to roll down the windows when they cross the boundary if they make use of the contactless system?

If someone puts on too much makeup, their face could not be recognised.

How do we deal with that?

We suggest the drivers and passengers to roll down their windows, but they don't have to pop their heads out of the vehicle.

The design of our cameras is such that they can detect the people inside the vehicle.

For passengers sitting in the corner of a seven-seater, their faces, if they are covered, then we also ask them to move a little bit so the cameras can detect their faces.

Meanwhile, other legislators took the opportunity to question the functions of the "AI City Brain" proposed in the newest Policy Address.

At times of typhoon or major incidents, how will the AI City Brain system work?

During extreme weather, we can detect immediately blocked water mains.

If there is heavy traffic, we can, also through our CCTV system, identify areas with flooding problems.