Hitachi, JCB developing biometric payment system

Considering all the companies that have already (or almost) jumped on the cashless bandwagon, it follows logic that another duo of Japanese firms are bringing their own biometric payment system to the forefront. Reportedly, Hitachi and JCB Co. Ltd. are working hand in hand (ahem) to develop a system that would "identify the veins on a person's finger" in order to sync with their credit card or bank data and complete a purchase. As expected, the companies are pushing their creation as a safer and more reliable method of paying for items, and while there's no telling how quickly customers are apt to implement said technology, Hitachi has reportedly stated that it would "launch an experiment in September involving 200 of its employees to see if it is commercially viable to introduce the system in shops, banks and other businesses."

[jonto81 @ Jul 24th 2007 9:11AM]

You can see this if it comes out for ATM useage, people being mugged and having thier hands cut off.

At Uni in Sheffield I had a friend who was mugged and dragged to the cash point where the 3 guys who had jumped him procceded to break his fingers until he told them the right pin code, even that is better than loosing an appendage

[wardtmar @ Jul 24th 2007 9:14AM]

BREAKING NEWS:

Thumb lost in robbery - Last night at 02.15 AM Chris Robertson, a 40 yr old husband and father of five was robbed in Church street. The muggers used a pair of industrial scissors to cut of his thumb. The thumb and the creditcard have been used to withdraw money at several ATM-machines accross the city.

[Wwhat @ Jul 24th 2007 1:49PM]

If you cut off your finger and hand the veins will wither, hence this vein system is more secure than fingerprints which can be lifted a million ways including cutting off fingers.
Also if you live in an area where they cut of your hand to get at your ATM perhaps you should move?

[Argot @ Jul 24th 2007 9:14AM]

Hmm, almost looks like they are running OS X on it? :)

http://arsip.fajran.web.id/img/macbook-ipv6-crash.jpg

[erock @ Jul 24th 2007 9:23AM]

Yes, hands being cut off is exactly what will happen. GREAT

[eric @ Jul 24th 2007 9:27AM]

I'll have to wear a t-shirt that says "Still using debit cards, don't cut off my hand" 24/7

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 24th 2007 9:53AM]

YOU THERE!
Turn out your pockets!

Just as I suspected -FINGERPRINTS!!


"There was no doubt about it.
It was the myth of fingerprints.
I've seen them all, and man they're all the same."
-Paul Simon

[revaaron @ Jul 24th 2007 10:04AM]

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 24th 2007 10:15AM]

You there!
Turn out your pockets!

Just as I suspected, DOGMA!

(woof woof)

[Matt @ Jul 24th 2007 12:57PM]

I would rather be able to give my wallet to a mugger than have him forcibly remove an appendage. Just my $.02.

[sergegreen @ Jul 24th 2007 5:30PM]

What, no Big Brother references?

[fischju @ Jul 24th 2007 11:58AM]

Worst idea ever

[Plopple @ Jul 24th 2007 3:05PM]

All of these bio-metric ID systems seem to miss the point that they are supposed to make it easier for the consumer.

I do not have a problem using a PIN. If I had to put my hand on some dirty glass every time I wanted to spend my money, I would probably go back to using cash.
And can you imagine the problems when the system goes down in a store or airport.

What are staff going to do then, examine everyones hands with a magnifying glass.
Of course not. They will check signatures like they always have.

Plopple
http://www.officialbigbrother.info

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 24th 2007 1:02PM]

Cash would be CLEANER than a glass panel?

I dunno about that.

[kawaiicb @ Jul 24th 2007 1:44PM]

Dude, people don't use rolled up glass panels to snort cocaine...

[jbarad @ Jul 24th 2007 12:51PM]

I'm not sure if fingerprint scanners use this algorithm now, but it should theoretically stop people from getting their fingers lopped off

[jbarad @ Jul 24th 2007 12:52PM]

Link : http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2005/12/spoofing_biomet.html

[buzweaver @ Jul 24th 2007 3:46PM]

I have to hand it to the Japanese (no pun intended) they can come up with some amazing technology, but only a certain percentage of it is actually 'practical'. This may work in some instances, but going plastic (debit cards) will probably be more prominent. Lately I've been using cash and I'm finding it to be a lot easier than seeing umpteen different debit charges on my bank statement.

[farnarkle @ Jul 24th 2007 7:05PM]

Bank of Tokyo/Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho have had this going for a while now. And heaps of people use it.

http://www.bk.mufg.jp/kouza/card/visa/cash/biometrics.html

http://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/start/seitai_ninsho/

(links are in Japanese, but you can gawk at the pictures)