The Biometric Daily

Privaris, a biometric technology provider, raised $15.7 million in a first round of funding. The Privaris solution has some intriguing features like wireless connections, RFID, onboard enrollment system etc.
Let's take a closer look at the product and the opportunities along with their competitors.
First of all the Privaris BPID (what's in a name?) consist of a 66 MHz ARM7 RISC processor, 512 KB onboard mMemory flash available for template, credential, and application storage. A biometric sensor 250 dpi 0.384 in. x 0.384 in (Authentec) and is powered through one userreplaceable CR2 lithium cell. All in a sturdy casing with the possibility to attache it to your keyring.
It furthermore has 3 LEDs (red, yellow,green), 1 push button (power) and communicates through the RF options Low-frequency RFID, HID, Kantech and Indala compatible (100 KHz to 150 KHz), and Bluetooth™ (2.4 GHz).
With the device you can open doors (using the existing infrastructure HID or else) or access networks, open garagedoors etc.
All in all a neat thing to hang with your keys although the costs seems a bit high ($175).

I first met IFkey about two years ago. Like Privaris they developed a wireless biometric Key. The key difference is that IFkey unlike Privaris choose to develop a transmitter (key) and receiver (keyhole). They communicate through encrypted Bluetooth. Like a normal key you can lend your transmitter for a certain period to your neighbor or familymember. Another benefit above the Privaris BPID is that the Key is powered through rechargable batteries. They can be simply charged through the detachable USB cable. When connected to a PC the Key functions as a normal fingerprintreader. So a lot of benefits above the BPID, on the other hand it only communicates through a proprietary receiver. And... the pricing is slightly higher due to the costs of the receiver.

So... who is going to buy this technology? Clearly both products are targeted at consumers, although the BPID will do well in physical access in the B2B market.
The consumer market hasn't started yet so both companies still have to wait for the big bang. The trouble with both concepts is the multifunctionality. The BPID wins here too. They only focus on sending a biometric fingerprint authenticated signal, leaving the integration with various environments to the integrators they only offer a RF signal. With the IFKey you need to install receivers.
Both concepts have their pro's and contra's but they pave the biometric way to consumer and that's great.