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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)
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