IDIAP Joins Third Major EU Project, Gearing Up for Efforts in AI and Digital Identity

The Idiap Research Institute’s Biometrics Security & Privacy group, which gained prominence as Switzerland’s third FIDO-accredited biometrics laboratory, is “all set for the next three years” in terms of extensive work relating to EU digital innovation projects, according to Sébastien Marcel, one of its senior researchers. The group has secured participation in three significant projects, collectively amounting to nearly 3 million Swiss Francs (MCHF). These initiatives, funded under the Horizon Europe framework, aim to advance biometric technologies and enhance security measures across various sectors.

CERTAIN Project

Launched this month, the CERTAIN (AI-driven data operations and compliance technologies) project is coordinated by IDEMIA, a global leader in identity technologies. Its primary objective is to develop tools that ensure AI systems across Europe are more trustworthy, ethical, and sustainable. The project focuses on compliance with European regulations, streamlining AI certification processes, and reducing the environmental impact of AI systems, particularly important given the EU’s recent implementation of the AI Act.

CarMen Project

Initiated in December, the CarMen project addresses the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL3-2023-BM-01-03, titled “Beyond the state-of-the-art ‘biometrics on the move’ for border checks.” Coordinated by Yncréa Méditerranée Research and Development, CarMen aims to enhance the fluidity of border crossings for various modes of transport, including pedestrians, coaches, cars, and trucks, without compromising security and safety. The project seeks to develop scalable, fully automated biometric systems to facilitate seamless and secure border crossings, building on existing European initiatives in border control automation.

3. PopEye Project

Having kicked off last November, the PopEye project focuses on developing robust, privacy-preserving biometric technologies for passenger identification and verification at EU external borders. Coordinated by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, the project integrates advanced biometric modalities, including gait recognition, to improve identification processes. The goal is to enable unobtrusive, on-the-move biometric identification, enhancing both security and traveler experience while maintaining compliance with EU privacy regulations.

Upcoming Event: Martigny Biometrics Workshop

In addition to these projects, the Idiap Research Institute, in collaboration with the European Association for Biometrics (EAB) and the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR), is organizing a two-day biometrics workshop on May 19-20, 2025, in Martigny, Switzerland. The workshop will cover topics such as Presentation/Morphing/Deepfake Attack Detection, Template Security, Foundation Models for Biometrics, and Biometrics under the AI Act. This event marks the third edition of the workshop on Presentation Attack Detection previously hosted at Idiap in 2020 and 2023, building on the institute’s recognized expertise in presentation attack detection research.

The workshop will be co-located with the CITeR Spring 2025 Program Review on May 21-22, 2025.

The developments underscore the Idiap Research Institute’s commitment to advancing biometric security and privacy, contributing significantly to the enhancement of secure and efficient systems within Europe.

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January 31, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy