As well as telling the time, your wristwatch may soon be able to tell who you
are. The layout of blood vessels, tendons and muscles in the wrist is different
for each person—and as good as a fingerprint for ID purposes. These
subcutaneous structures can easily be scanned using infrared LEDs on the
underside of a watch, says Joe Rice, inventor of the Veincheck technology, based
in Mansfield. The watch decodes the infrared image to create a biometric
identification device that could act as a key for secure areas, says Rice. This
could put an end to the hassle of using easily lost smart cards.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Environment
Galapagos corals suggest climate change drives stronger El Niños
News
Life
Astonishing whale feeding frenzy seen off the eastern coast of Greenland
News
Environment
Octopuses released into Adriatic Sea to tackle invasive crabs
News
Technology
Driving data can predict crash black spots before accidents happen
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles