Biometric ID for cars expected to nearly double by 2021

Photo Credit: Gentex

According to a recent report from Markets and Markets, the market for biometric vehicle access systems for cars is estimated at $442.7 million, and expected to reach $855 millon by 2021. Currently fingerprint recognition holds the largest market share, but the use of iris scan is growing due to increased demand for safety features.

There are some issues in developing biometric security for the auto industry – technology moves at a fast pace, and the manufacturing design cycle for cars is long. Also, the car market is sensitive to price. The best solution may be the use of specialized smart phone apps for unlocking the car door or keyless ignition. That saves the cost of installing a separate biometric scanner in the car itself. 

Biometrics is more secure than a car key or fob, which can be easily lost or stolen, but biometric security is not perfect, it's still developing – so layered security and authentication is recommended.

How is smart technology currently being used to make cars more secure? 

An example of a current phone app is the Mercedes-Benz virtual key. An E-class owner can download a virtual key, save it in their near field communications (NFC)-enabled phone, and then hold the phone up against the car door handle to unlock it. 

Gentex, a maker of electronics components, has developed a high tech rear view mirror which uses iris scans for biometric authentication of the person in the driver’s seat. With a match, the system will start the car and automatically personalize the driver set by automatically adjusting mirrors, steering wheel, seat position, music favorites and more. Without a match, the security system can disable the vehicle.



Eye and fingerprint scanners in cars will double by 2021, report says

By Alison DeNisco, December 1, 2016, for TechReplic.com


How cars are going from smart to smarter

By Vishal Mathur, Jun 29 2017, published on LiveMint.com


Gentex Introduces Biometric Authentication System for Automotive Use

Gentex Press Release Jan 5, 2017