Vein Recognition Scanners: The Next Step to a Wallet-free Future?

 

Yesterday, we reported that a New York hospital is using vein-recognition technology to access patient data. Now, a Florida school district is also getting in on the action--and leading the trend toward a fully wallet-free future.

Fujitsu's PalmSecure provides a highly reliable biometric authentication system based on palm vein pattern recognition technology. The Pinellas County School District, near St. Petersburg, Fla., will use PalmSecure in its cafeterias to enable students to make purchases without cash, cards or phones.

How does it work? Vein-recognition tech uses a near-infrared light that shines up from the detector. The user waves a hand over the light, and it instantly maps the unique pattern of veins in his or her hand. This pattern is then stored, not as an image, but as a unique identifier.

Vascular pattern recognition technology has already been in use for years, especially in access control applications. However, its use as a method of payment is exciting. Biometric payment is exceedingly more secure than cash, credit cards and even cell phone wallets. (Plus, it's cool!)

For now, the cost of the system is prohibitive for most retail locations. But our bet is that shoppers will start seeing them in their favorite stores in only a few years.