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IDEX has launched a low power fingerprint sensor ready to be used in contactless cards operating with standard NFC terminals.
The company says that the sensor’s power management supports biometric card operation without a battery. The sensor is also specifically designed for standard mass production processes.
“The launch of our new low power sensor enables a new generation of commercially viable contactless biometric cards,” says Dr Hemant Mardia, CEO of IDEX. “This solution significantly expands our market opportunity driven by the convenience for consumers of using dual interface cards combined with biometrics and secures our position at the forefront of this large-scale opportunity.
IDEX says its new fingerprint sensor is now sampling with a European top-tier card integrator. In addition, the company has broadened customer engagement in response to strong interest and expects several major Asian card integrators to commence sampling during Q3 2017.
“We have collaborated with major global partners including Mastercard and OT-Morpho to create and qualify mass deployable biometric smart card solutions delivering world-class performance,” says Dr Mardia. “Following the positive reactions from users in trials in South Africa we have received significant interest across our target payment market and additional card verticals. I see this a strong validation of our value proposition for fingerprint sensors for cards and a market-changing opportunity.”
Sampling of IDEX’s new sensor commenced in the second quarter 2017, and is expected to be ready for volume production in the second half of 2017.