Heartbeat Based Security

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1New biometric security technology is being developed and tested by Sandia National Laboratories and Aquila, a small firm based in New Mexico. The biometric security technology is based on the unique signature of the human heartbeat. The researchers involved are working to develop a wearable device that can be used as an alternative to fingerprint and eye scanners. 

Using fingerprints and eye scanners to unlock doors and vaults were both once considered very futuristic security technologies, however they may become irrelevant soon enough if Sandia and Aquila’s research takes off. This is especially true for access controlled areas where people may be wearing gloves or eye protection, thus rendering the fingerprint and eye scanners inconvenient.

Sandia and Aquila have partnered together to develop and test a wearable prototype device that can stream in real time the wearer’s heartbeat signature based on the heart’s electrical activity. 

The wearable device’s software is planned to be developed by B-Secur, a U.K. based company. The software will enable heart rate and other wellness indicators to be streamed in real time according to Homelandsecuritynewswire.com.

“B-Secur’s HeartKey includes the ability to identify and authenticate an individual from their unique electrocardiogram (ECG) signature,” said Aquila’s executive vice president, Steve Kadner. “The objective for the new system is to meet or exceed the current fingerprint or iris readers for access control and position tracking purposes.”

The system will be able to stream in real time the wearer’s heart signature and based off that certain doors will automatically unlock according to the wearer’s specific access permits.

The technology would be most useful for industrial buildings, including hospitals and research facilities.

Sandia mentions that they plan on completing prototype development and testing within a year.