New Idex contactless biometric card technology to be integrated by global tier 1 partner

Idex Biometrics has followed up the launch of its TrustedBio family of biometric-system-on-chip (BSoC) products by announcing a design win and supply agreement with a leading global tier 1 smartcard manufacturer, with plans to bring biometric payment cards to the mass market.

The company just announced the TrustedBio product line, and Idex Biometrics’ CTO Anthony Eaton told Biometric Update the innovation will dramatically reduce the cost of manufacturing contactless biometric smartcards, while improving privacy, security, user experience and power efficiency. TrustedBio products integrate the system’s biometric processing, power management, and other capabilities on an advanced silicon chip mounted to the polymer substrate on which the fingerprint image is captured.

The new agreement builds on a long-standing collaborative partnership between Idex Biometrics and the card manufacturer, according to the announcement. The manufacturer carried out a rigorous selection process, including a supplier audit of Idex’ technical readiness. The company says its biometric technology was selected for its performance, low power consumption, advanced security features, manufacturability, and cost.

Idex Biometrics has a well-established business relationship with Idemia, which includes a license agreement for Idex’ on-card remote fingerprint enrollment technology.

“We are proud to have been selected by one of the largest smartcard manufacturers in the world and look forward to continue collaboration with a leader in authentication solutions to bring biometric payment cards to the mass market,” says Idex Biometrics CEO Stan Swearingen. “This award by one of the world’s largest card manufacturers is a validation of our off-chip product design that enables high performance at a disruptive cost point.”

Sensors integrated with the new technology are expected to reach mass production in the fourth quarter, and will follow on an existing biometric card program by Idex and the same partner, which is nearing certification.

Idex Biometrics also recently hired a new head of investor relations as it carries out a restructuring plan focused on biometric cards and embedded products.

Article Topics

biometric cards  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint technology  |  Idex Biometrics