There has been a little bit of discussion of Smart Gate here... this is not the same as 'e-gate', which is at the left hand side of the main immigration hall and functions with an RFID card (the Skywards gold card among them, subject to eligibility restrictions and a sign-up procedure).

Smart Gate is located at the right hand side of the hall and works on the same principle as the RFID-passport systems common in the EU.

There is an audio recording on ICE at the moment of an interview with a Dubai immigration chief who explains the new system.

Key points, from my hazy memory:
-System jointly funded by Airport Authority, EK and possibly DNRD?
-Target processing time is 15 seconds per passenger
-Will be made fully operational over the next 12-18 months in three phases. Phase 1 = UAE passports, Phase 2 = GCC, Phase 3 = Visa waiver countries.

I very much hope Phase 3 is reached as soon as possible!