Heartbeat authentication firm Bionym raises $14 million

I like the concept. 

I would like to see it implemented as one of several choices that a consumer gets to identify themselves.  I.e. the end user should be able to decide for themselves what sort of key they lock their own stuff up with.

One anomaly here: 3 factor?  Lets count the factors:

  - Something you are: your heartbeat +1

  - Something you have: the bracelet +1

  - Something ELSE you have: your mobile-phone with app = +0 !

  - Something you know: ? = 0

I only count 2 factors.  Unless the app forces you to sign on with a password - but I thought they are "promising" to get rid of passwords.

If the phone is used as a 'token', the problem of authenticating the phone (an inherintly unsafe device) remains.  But there are other solutions to this problem.

Very interesting biometric device for authentication.

@Vernon - Thanks for raising valid reason. I went through features of Nymi and came to know that apart from registereing heartbeat ( Heart ID ) to make belt personalised for your authentication there is registration process on device which need to authenticate Nymi with AAD. Please look at the explanation from Nymi's features.

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The Nymi functions on a 3-factor security system. To take control of your identity you must have your Nymi, your unique heartbeat and an Authorized Authentication Device (AAD), which would be a smartphone or device registered with our app. The Nymi is also built upon the principles of Privacy by Design, which means that only you control and access your identity and personal information.

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So holding wrist band and registereing heart beat is not enough for authentication.

Yet another solution seeking a problem and, that too, in a very contrived and non-scaleable manner. At least I hope it has FDA approval. The last thing you want is a slightly erratic heartbeat - believe me, it happens more often than believed - causing authentication to fail, which leads to car door not opening, which aggravates the heartbeat problem even further.