August 10, 2010
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News: Will The Thumbprint Replace Credit Card
There is a growing interest in a new technology called biometrics which consists of methods of identification that recognizes individuals based on one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral trait. It can often be used to identify individuals in groups when under surveillance. Manufacturers of credit cards have been experimenting on a number of different cards using a variety of different biometric characteristics such as eyes, fingerprint, and face considered physiological biometrics and voice and gait considered behavioral biometrics. These credit cards are hoped to be the answer to the growing card theft. While biometrics are currently being used in a number of industries, the financial industry has yet to release a biometric credit card.
The most recent experimentation with biometrics is a vending machine company in Massachusetts, Next Generation Vending and Food Service. In an attempt to replace the credit card with a thumbprint in order to purchase a candy bar, New Generation is currently testing its new generation vending machine. If successful, the new vending machines would allow cardholders to link its credit card to the machine with a thumbprint. It would be an added convenience to individuals who works in or near a facility that would house such a machine by not have to be concerned about having change on hand just to satisfy an afternoon craving for candy.
According to John S. Ioannou, President of Next Generation, the company is currently testing over 60 of the biometric credit card vending machines across the northeast. And that's not all. Ioannou also said that the company is working on a vending machine that has a 46" touch screen display that will enable the consumer to click on an item, flip the item and view its nutritional information on the back of the package. Initial results of the vending machine testing has been phenomenal. Tests will continue to run through the end of the year at which time, Next Generation will decide if use of the machine will expand further throughout the northeast.