JCB and Fujitsu Unveil Palm Vein Authentication Technology for Payments

JCB, a Japanese payments provider, has partnered with Fujitsu, a global hardware technology firm, to deliver a unique method for verifying small transactions.

While startups in the fintech space are focusing on wearables and apps, the duo has set their sights on the human hand for frictionless, reliable authentication.

In July, JCB conducted a small trial, using its own employees as participants. The tests were successful and now the group is ready to launch an official preview at the JCB World Conference.

“We are planning pilots in different global markets in order to develop a unique biometric-based program using the most secure accurate palm vein authentication, followed by the trial at the JCB World Conference,” said Tac Watanabe, executive vice president of brand infrastructure and technologies at JCB.

“I am confident that this new payment method using innovative technology will be in line with the needs of JCB customers and partners around the world.”

The groundbreaking technology is currently being used at highly secure access control systems and bank ATMs. Its entry into the payments space will be the brands’ first attempt at pushing the application to the mainstream.

Shockingly, palm vein authentication boasts a false rejection rate of 0.01 percent and false acceptance rate of less than 0.00008 percent.

The new method does not rely on a surface or a device for scanning. Instead, customers would simply need to wave their hand over an active sensor, which focuses on the hand of the payer.

“After linking a palm vein pattern and payment card information, customers can make a simple, fast and secure payment by using palm,” highlighted JCB. “Multiple cards can be linked to one pattern and the customer does not need to bring his or her wallet or any mobile payment device.”