Biometrics stocks update: Fingerprint Cards, Ambarella, Vuzix, RealNetworks, Synaptics, FacePhi

Biometric technology from Fingerprint Cards has been implemented in the new Halo Touch smart door lock being launched to the American market by Kwikset, according to a company announcement. Homeowners can use the Kwikset lock to unlock their home doors with fingerprint biometrics instead of a PIN pad. The lock features battery power and a Wi-Fi connection to provide homeowners with a simple smart home experience, according to FPC.

A new Chromebook from PC-maker Asus, the Flip C436, features the FPC1145 sensor to provide a convenient extra layer of security for businesses and end-users. In addition to the high quality and biometric performance of the company’s sensors, Fingerprint Cards’ FPC OneTouch, FPC 360Touch and EvoTouch software is also included in the notebook.

3D sensing platform partnership

A collaborative partnership has been formed by Ambarella, Lumentum, and ON Semiconductor to provide a 3D sensing platform for developing smart access control and video security products with facial biometrics and liveness detection, according to a joint announcement.

Ambarella’s CV25 CVflow AI vision SoC, Lumentum’s VCSEL structured light technology, and the AR0237 RGB-IR CMOS image sensor from ON Semiconductor are all included in the platform, which the companies demonstrated at CES 2020. RGB and IR depth sensing are performed by the ON Semiconductor sensor, rather than separate cameras, while Ambarella provides depth processing, anti-spoofing algorithms, 3D facial recognition, and video encoding on a single chip, which it says reduces system complexity and improves performance.

“Lumentum has worked to enable diverse applications of our VCSEL technology into next-generation 3D sensing products,” says Dr. Andre Wong, vice president, product line management, 3D Sensing at Lumentum. “We are excited to partner with Ambarella to help expand the use of 3D sensing in new applications including video security and more broadly AI vision.”

The Ambarella CV25 provides a powerful ISP, with native support for RGB-IR filter arrays, and advanced high dynamic range processing for exceptional image quality in low light and high-contrast situations, according to the announcement.

“We are delighted to partner with Lumentum and ON Semiconductor to deliver a hardware platform for the next generation of intelligent access control systems and video security devices,” comments Fermi Wang, president and CEO of Ambarella. “Powered by Lumentum’s VCSEL solution, ON Semiconductor’s RGB-IR technology, and our CV25 SoC, it delivers 3D sensing with reduced system complexity as well as improved reliability and security. We look forward to seeing the innovative products our customers will build with this hardware platform.”

Vuzix smart glasses applications

Vuzix AR has introduced its new Vuzix M4000 Smart Glasses and Vuzix Smart Swim at CES 2020, and the company’s technology is also featured in a number of offerings from other vendors that demonstrated at the event.

The Encore Tower Suites SWORD Enterprise combines facial recognition, millimeter wave and sensor fusion technology to detect concealed weapons, and push notification to Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses. NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR), Ubimax, and several other organizations also demonstrated solutions with integrated technology from Vuzix.

“For the past 20-plus years, Vuzix has been committed to bringing the most innovative products to both consumers and enterprise customers, with use cases ranging from healthcare, to the plant floor, to security and beyond,” states Vuzix President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Travers. “This year, we are accelerating our foothold with the unveiling of our latest products and some of the incredible use cases they are driving. The world of augmented reality is starting to take off in a meaningful way and Vuzix is a leader that is well positioned for market penetration and growth.”

RealNetworks CFO change

RealNetworks has appointed Mike Ensing as its Interim CFO, beginning an orderly transition process after Cary Baker informed the company he is departing to pursue a new opportunity.

Rob Glaser, RealNetworks chairman and CEO, thanked Baker and wished him well in a company release.
“We are delighted to have Mike Ensing join our senior team, first as a strategic advisor, and then as our interim CFO,” Glaser states. “Mike is a very experienced and accomplished CFO with a demonstrated ability to lead financial and operational teams to great results. We remain confident in our main growth initiatives, SAFR and Free-To-Play Games, as well as our fourth quarter 2019 financial guidance. Mike has a great track record of leadership during times of transformational change, which is a great fit for us.”

Ensing has previously performed the CFO role at multiple organizations, and also served in several financial leadership positions at Microsoft.

An executive search firm has been retained by RealNetworks to find the company’s next permanent CFO.

Synaptics to report Q2

The second quarter 2020 fiscal results will be announced by Synaptics on Thursday, February 6, 2020, after the market closes. A conference call will be held with analysts and investors at 5:00 p.m. ET that day, with live and then archived access through its investor relations website.

FacePhi to preview results

FacePhi is planning to preview its full-year 2019 results at an official event at the Palacio de la Bolsa in Madrid on January 20. Company CEO Javier Mira and President Salvador Marti will announce FacePhi’s turnover achievement for the year and carry out an analysis of its evolution. The company’s biometric offerings have positioned it as the highest growth value on the Spanish Stock Exchange during 2019, according to the announcement.

The next steps for FacePhi over the short and medium term, including its expected participation in Euronext Growth during the year, will be discussed. Those interested in attending must register by emailing the company.

Article Topics

Ambarella  |  biometrics  |  FacePhi  |  Fingerprint Cards  |  stocks  |  Synaptics  |  Vuzix