Revolutionizing Payments with Palm Vein Biometrics: A Conversation with Michel Leger, CTO of Ingenico

Secure, Convenient, and Future-Proof Payment Technology

In a recent interview with Le Parisien, Michel Leger, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Ingenico, shed light on an innovative payment solution that could change the way we conduct transactions in the future. The technology in question? Palm vein biometrics, a cutting-edge system that utilizes the unique patterns of veins in your hand to enable seamless, secure payments. In this blog, we'll delve deeper into this exciting development and its potential impact on the world of commerce.

A Glimpse into Palm Vein Biometrics

Imagine being able to make payments in a store without ever reaching for your wallet or smartphone. This is precisely what palm vein biometrics aims to achieve. Mr. Leger explained that the process begins with a simple registration of your phone number, email, and card details. The pivotal step follows, wherein your palm's biometric data is recorded.

Once registered, you're all set to make payments in-store. At the payment terminal, similar to the ones used for card payments today, you present your hand. The system then verifies your identity based on the hemoglobin globules' flow through your veins, making it an incredibly secure and dynamic method.

Unparalleled Security

One of the key advantages of palm vein biometrics is its unbeatable security. Attempting to use a photo or even a severed hand won't work because the technology doesn't rely on static images. Instead, it operates by measuring the dynamic flow of hemoglobin in your veins. All data collected is stored digitally and anonymized, adhering to stringent personal data protection regulations.

Why Palm Vein Biometrics?

Mr. Leger explained that palm vein biometrics was chosen over other biometric methods like fingerprint or facial recognition due to its effectiveness and non-intrusiveness. When you pay with the palm of your hand, it feels just like using a card – you control the payment process, eliminating the uncertainty associated with facial recognition technology.

Speed and Convenience

One of the primary objectives of this technology is to speed up payment processes. For merchants, faster transactions mean the potential to sell more products. Additionally, it has significant implications for age verification in certain countries, as it can confirm a customer's age without needing to see their ID. Whether you're at an amusement park, a concert, or a festival and prefer not to carry your payment card, this technology offers a convenient alternative.

Global Adoption on the Horizon

While this technology is still in its early stages, Mr. Leger hinted at significant progress in North America, where field tests are already in discussions. The hope is that this progress will pave the way for global adoption, including Europe and France, within the next year or two.

As technology continues to advance, the world of payments is evolving alongside it. Palm vein biometrics represents an exciting leap forward in both security and convenience, and its potential to reshape the payment landscape is something to watch closely. While it may be some time before we see this technology on a broad scale, the future of payment technology is looking brighter and more secure than ever before.

For more information about Ingenico's Palm Vein Biometrics solution, please read the press release and learn more about its first pilot deployment at Tienda Inglesa’s Red Expres in Uruguay.