Hitachi has developed a finger vein authentication system that can be installed on a car steering wheel. Hitachi pointed out security and usability as two advantages of installing the finger vein authentication system in a car steering wheel. From the standpoint of security, the main application is theft prevention. But the company reportedly sees the demand for using it also as a preventive measure against unauthorized use of “on-vehicle credit settlement.” Hitachi expects that this type of settlement will be used widely in the future. In regard to the aspect of usability, the provision of the finger vein authentication system on the steering wheel allows an interior that can satisfy the driver’s requirements (seat position, air conditioner setting, etc) and enhances the operability of various kinds of applications (audio equipment, car navigation system, etc). The company intends to provide the system with functions to store and identify finger vein patterns of several people.
Hitachi developed a finger vein authentication system that can be attached on the door handle in October 2005 and presented it at that year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The latest product was developed based on the door handle type system as well as the authentication equipment for use in the automatic teller machines (ATMs) installed at financial institutions. The main modules of Hitachi’s finger vein authentication system are a light source and a camera. Hitachi plans to exhibit the system at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007.
