It seems like every day China is finding a new use for facial recognition. Recently they’ve used it for things like enforcing traffic laws and even making sure citizens sort their trash properly. It’s now using the technology in its metro stations.

The southern city of Shenzhen has launched facial recognition in its subways. Instead of using cash or their mobile phones, customers can simply have their face scanned and the fare deducted from a registered account. Facial recognition in the subways will also allow some riders, such as those over 60 years of age. to get free entry. The technology was developed in cooperation with metro operator and internet giant Tencent.

Facial Recognition Ticketing Utilizes 5g

The city had previously tested the technology back in March at the Futian station. The system utilizes a 5g network which greatly enhances connection speed and efficiency. The Shenzhen metro claims that this type of tech could help the facial-recognition ticketing system handle 5 million rides a day in the city.

“To use facial ticketing in the future, passengers will also need preregistration of their facial information and link their payment methods to their accounts, ” said a staff member at Futian station.

The facial recognition service is available at 18 stations on Line 11 which includes 28 automatic gate machine and 60 self-service ticket processors. Officials have plans to expand the program to more stations.

Shenzhen isn’t the only place in China utilizing facial recognition at subway entrances. 10 other cities including Shanghai, Qingdao, Nanjing, and Nanning are also experimenting with the system.

Check out our articles on Providence’s driverless shuttle and a robot drug counselor helping addicts in China.