Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Steering Wheel Finger Vein Authentication
Hitachi's handy finger vein authenication is handy for ATMs and cardless payment authorization. Now, Hitachi has attached the device to the steering wheel of a car.
(Finger Vein Authentication used on steering wheel)
At first glance, this seems a bit overboard. However, this means that the car can not only authenticate the driver, but customize the functionality of the car based on the vein print.
It's even possible to use different fingers for different tasks; your ring finger might turn on the radio and the pinky ring could be used to authorize a payment at a drive-in.
This brings us to the science-fictional portion of the article; it's weird, but then, so is finger vein authentication on a steering wheel.
In Fleet of Worlds, Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner write about events 200 years before the time of Ringworld, Niven's 1970 Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel. The most technologically advanced species, the Puppeteers, do not have hands. They have two heads on long flexible necks, and the mouths serve has "hands." Their lips have knobbly extensions and their tongues are sort of leathery and are also used for manipulation.
So, how would a Puppeteer implement security on a transit system (which they use in place of vehicles)? Naturally, you'd use a tongueprint:
Nearing a public stepping disc embedded in the walkway, [Nike] dipped a head into a pocket. With nimble lip nodes he retrieved an address from his personal transport controller; his tongueprint authorized access to a secured file. The disc flicked him instantly to a restricted location...
(Read more about tongueprint verification)
Have you read these articles? Best to click the links and authenticate:
- Fujitsu PalmSecure Hand Vein Scanner
A nifty biometric security station. It's hygienic, too. - Palm Vein Authentication First, Then Book
Fujitsu's contactless palm vein authentication will eliminate the use of library cards. - VeinViewer Now In First Hospital
A spectacularly cool device for "vein contrast enhancement" is now in use throughout the Memphis-based Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system.
Via Hitachi considers steering wheels for its finger vein authentication system.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/23/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Security ")
Flimmer Navy Drone Flies And Swims
Launch the Flying Sub!
Indian Court Says Brain Scan Proves Murder
Using a test called Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature, an Indian court convicts a woman based on her brain contents.
Background Draw-a-Secret (BDAS) Makes Graphical Passwords
Interesting security technique that takes advantage of the greater ease with which we all recall pictures, as opposed to the kind of alphanumeric strings IT techs want us to use for passwords.
ID-U Biometrics Eye Tracking Signature
Interesting new method of secure identification gathers a unique response to stimulus each time; old data cannot be copied and presented to the system.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
The New Habitable Zones Include Asimov's Ribbon Worlds
'...there's a narrow belt where the climate is moderate.'
3D Printing A 12-Meter Boat Hull
'It makes drawings in the air...'
China Still Working On Rescue Robot That Eats People
Firefighter Rescue Robot Eats Humans - again!
Lawyer AIs Create Chaos In Our Legal System
'I want my lawyer program.'
Chinese Hospital Tries Vonnegut's 'Harrison Bergeron' Cosplay
'He wore spectacles with thick wavy lenses. The spectacles were intended to make him not only half
blind, but to give him whanging headaches besides.'
Robot Clerks Become A Reality In China
'The robot clerk in the waiting-room checked her number...'
Can One Robot Do Many Tasks?
'... with the Master-operator all you have to do is push one! A remarkable achievement!'
Atlas Robot Makes Uncomfortable Movements
'Not like me. A T-1000, advanced prototype. A mimetic poly-alloy. Liquid metal.'
Boring Company Drills Asimov's Single Vehicle Tunnels
'It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'
Humanoid Robots Tickle The Ivories
'The massive feet working the pedals, arms and hands flashing and glinting...'
A Remarkable Coincidence
'There is a philosophical problem of some difficulty here...'
Cortex 1 - Today A Warehouse, Tomorrow A Calculator Planet
'There were cubic miles of it, and it glistened like a silvery Christmas tree...'
Perching Ambush Drones
'On the chest of drawers something was perched.'
Leader-Follower Autonomous Vehicle Technology
'Jason had been guiding the caravan of cars as usual...'
Golf Ball Test Robot Wears Them Out
"The robot solemnly hit a ball against the wall, picked it up and teed it, hit it again, over and again...'
Boring Company Vegas Loop Like Asimov Said
'There was a wall ahead... It was riddled with holes that were the mouths of tunnels.'
