Hitachi Turns Standard Computer Camera into Finger Vein Scanner

Hitachi is releasing a new finger vein authentication solution built to be simpler and safer than other biometric modalities. To use the new solution, users simply need to hold up their hand in front of the built-in camera on a standard computer, at which point Hitachi’s system will capture the image and analyze the vein pattern to verify their identity.

Since the system makes use of existing cameras, businesses do not need to integrate any new scanners, readers, or other technology in order to deploy Hitachi’s finger vein tech, making it cheaper and easier to implement than conventional fingerprint solutions. Hitachi argues that it is also safer than passwords and facial recognition, the latter of which often prioritizes convenience over security.

“We have known for years the fallibilities of current authentication methods, but a viable alternative wasn’t available,” said Hitachi General Manager Ravi Ahluwalia, adding that the new technology “provides a major step forward, both for the user who doesn’t have to remember multiple passwords, and businesses who want a cost-effective solution.”

The feature is the latest application of Hitachi’s pioneering finger vein technology. The company began scanning finger veins with smartphone cameras in 2016, and its tech was utilized in FingoPay’s naked payments trial in the UK. More recently, Hitachi Europe partnered with Alpha Generation Distribution to make the company’s finger vein tech more readily available to European customers.

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September 10, 2019 – by Eric Weiss

Vein recognition, otherwise known as vascular biometrics, refers to technology that measures parts of a subject’s circulatory system which is a s unique to her as a fingerprint. Segmented into different sub-modalities, vascular biometrics solutions use optical scanning technology to capture vein images in your palm, finger, or eyeball.

Because of the sub-dermal nature of veins, vascular biometrics are considered to be a highly secure modality. Whereas other types of biometrics, particularly where the cheaper consumer grade is concerned, have proven vulnerable to presentation attacks, vein patterns are virtually un-spoofable, especially considering that some vein readers require scanned veins to have blood flowing through them. Learn more on FindBiometrics’ Vein Recognition page.