Home Forget fingerprints, soon you may be able to sign-in with your heartbeat

Forget fingerprints, soon you may be able to sign-in with your heartbeat

The search for the most complex and unique sign-in method continues and at Birmingham State University in New York, a team of researchers are looking into utilizing the heartbeat.

Most wearable devices already track heart-rate, so from there the device only needs to convert the beat into a unique biometric key.

See Also: Fossil digs out range of new wearables at CES

The key could be used to unlock smartphones, log-in to social networks, and even be a smart fob for doors and lockers in high security areas. Deployment could be tied into a wellness program, which many companies are now embracing.

The benefits of heartbeat authentication is it even more unique than a fingerprint, although humans do tend to experience irregularities if nervous or tired, something that could interfere with the authentication process. Another potential benefit is battery life, as it requires less energy to process a heartbeat on a wearable than to go through layers of encryption, according to Zhanpeng Jin, co-author of the report.

Heartbeats and thumbprints

A wearable device, called the Nymi Band, already uses heartbeat authentication alongside Apple’s Touch ID. It transports the biometric key using Bluetooth and NFC, making it applicable to thousands of devices and applications.

With the surge in interest for multi-factor authentication, is isn’t too unrealistic that sometime in the near future we could all be signing into devices and accounts using our heartbeat, especially as the technology matures.

However, fingerprint and iris scanners are fast becoming commonplace on smartphones, tablets, and wearables. The heartbeat authentication method needs to show its positives quick, before the industry settles on a few compelling standards.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.