Biometric identification has already become a part of everyday life. There are facial recognition systems at airports and cars that the owner can unlock with a glance. There is technology that captures the unique characteristics of a person's gait, not to mention the ubiquitous fingerprinting, which is used today in everything from smartphones to tickets to various cultural and entertainment events. What's next in line? Your heartbeat.
According to the MIT journal Technology Review, the Pentagon has developed a laser that can identify a person from a distance based on their heart rate. The technology, known as Jetson, uses laser vibrometry to record movements on the surface of the skin caused by heartbeats. This system works up to 200 meters away.
Each person's heart rate is completely unique, but unlike facial features and even fingerprints, it cannot be changed in any way. However, as is the case with facial recognition and other biometrics that need ideal conditions, Jetson's technology has certain limitations. It works when the person is wearing something light, such as a shirt or T-shirt, but is unable to penetrate thicker clothing such as a winter jacket or coat. In addition, the collection of the necessary information takes about 30 seconds, so while Jetson works only if the person is sitting or standing still. And, of course, the effectiveness of identification depends on the availability of a database of cardiac activity. However, be that as it may, the system has already reached a level of accuracy in excess of 95 percent.
Of course, this technology could turn out to be a real breakthrough for the military and intelligence services, so the Pentagon's request for the Jetson system several years ago (official documents of the Office of Technical Support for the fight against terrorism) indicates that work has been going on for some time.
At the same time, the new technology can be applied in completely different areas. As noted by the journal MIT, doctors could monitor the heart rate without touching the patient, and hospitals could constantly monitor the state of vital parameters of patients. Perhaps one day the day will come when this technique will make the most modern advances in facial recognition obsolete and unnecessary.
Igor Abramov