Biometric vehicle access forecasts climb, facial recognition features in more new car models

The market for biometrics in automobiles continues to see increased supply, with Cadillac, Buick, and China’s Human Horizons launching new models with facial recognition, a new document-signing capability from Syngrafii for automotive transactions, and a partnership between Cerence and an electric vehicle manufacturer on voice technology.

The global market for biometric vehicle access systems is forecast to reach $1.56 billion by 2025, growing at a 13.7 CAGR from 2020 with increasing adoption of iris, fingerprint, and voice biometrics, according to a report from IndustryARC.

Fingerprint recognition systems held the largest market share among modalities in 2019, and Europe dominated among regional markets, with a share just below half of the total.

The market is expected to receive a boost from growing demand for connected and electric vehicles with biometric authentication to reduce the risk of vehicle theft, the report says, though increasing connectivity could raise the risk of cyber attacks, which could hinder market growth.

New Cadillac features face, fingerprint and voice biometrics

The new 2021 Cadillac XT4 for the Chinese market has been announced, featuring a new facial recognition system, called Face ID, for vehicle access and ignition, according to Cadillac Society.

Cadillac’s Face ID system is installed in the front door frame, and includes a high-definition binocular infrared camera, a touch screen with waterproofing, an infrared image processor and an adaptive lighting system. The touch screen is automatically activated when in close proximity with the driver’s mobile phone.

The new car model also includes a fingerprint reader, as well as unlocking with a password, and a revamped system for voice recognition and audio commands.

The biometrics of up to eight people can be registered with the vehicle, including one administrator.

The North American release of the 2021 XT4 does not include the biometric upgrades.

Human Horizons electric car with facial recognition entry

The HiPhi X electric SUV from Human Horizons was unveiled at the 2020 Beijing Auto Show with facial recognition for touchless vehicle entry among its notable features, Luxurylaunches reports.

The vehicle is also expected to support Level 3 autonomous driving on its launch, with 562 integrated sensors. The company touts it as “continuously evolving” and the smartest electric vehicle on the market.

The four-seat version retails for RMB 800,000 (US$119,000) and the six-seat edition goes for RMB 600,000 ($89,000). A small production run will be available in late-2020, with an official market launch following in the first half of 2021.

Buick concept car

The Buick Electra has been reinvented as a concept car, with facial recognition built into its butterfly-wing doors, Carscoops writes.

Revealed in Shanghai, the Buick Electra also features the auto-makers next-generation AI voice assistant.

The electric vehicle has a futuristic-looking design and features that apparently include a floating skateboard, but there is no indication if or when it might reach commercial production.

Syngrafii to enable remote vehicle transaction document signing

PowerBand Solutions and Syngrafii have formed a partnership to enable consumers to sign auto leases and other documents on a virtual transaction platform. The biometric signature system will be available initially in Canada from PowerBand’s DRIVRZ platform, before expanding to the U.S.

The partnership is a one-year deal with automatic annual renewal options.

Syngrafii’s Video Signing Room, iinked Paper, LongPen and electronic signature solutions enable PowerBand users to virtually complete the legal documents necessary to purchase a vehicle in real-time, according to the announcement.

Cerence partners with Nio on voice

Cerence has been selected by Chinese electric vehicle-maker Nio to collaborate on unnamed voice technologies. The company has signed a series of deals to provide voice biometrics and other digital interface technologies to auto makers since being spun off from voice recognition leader Nuance Communications a year ago.

Article Topics

access control  |  automotive biometrics  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  Cerence  |  facial recognition  |  iris recognition  |  Syngrafii  |  voice biometrics