Japanese electronics giant Hitachi has unveiled a vending machine that uses biometric authentication technology to enable customer to make payments simply by placing their finger over a scanner.According to MSN News (Japan), the system taps Hitachi's finger vein authentication technology to enable registered users to buy goods at the vending machine with the cost charged to their credit cards.
The firm's technology uses light to read the unique pattern of veins inside the finger. The system allows the identification of the pattern without touching the sensor directly.
The machine also includes a LCD display which shows personalised adverts and other information to buyers based on their profile.
The firm is set to trial the vending machines with its own staff in several offices later this year.
Back in 2006 Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation deployed Hitachi's finger vein authentication technology as the user ID system for ATMs located in am/pm convenience stores throughout Japan.
The following year the vendor teamed with card issuer JCB to develop a biometric payment system based on the technology to be used as an alternative to cards and cash at the point of sale.
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