Technology is constantly evolving, and modern life has become more diverse than ever. Not long ago, Apple introduced Face ID for facial recognition payments, sparking widespread online discussions. Now, a new payment method has emerged—using finger veins to make payments. Sounds strange, right?
Finger vein technology is considered one of the most secure biometric identification methods. Unlike traditional fingerprint scanning, which can be copied or forged, finger vein recognition requires a living body with flowing blood, making it nearly impossible to counterfeit. This unique feature makes it highly secure and difficult to steal.
In today’s world, more people are leaving their wallets at home because smartphones have made payments easier. From password-based transactions to QR code scanning, and even fingerprint and face recognition, each innovation brings convenience. Recently, Apple's Face ID has made facial payments a hot topic.
But have you ever wondered what happens if you don’t have your wallet or phone? A supermarket in the UK recently introduced a revolutionary solution: paying by simply moving your finger.
**British supermarkets lead the world in vein-based payment**
According to a report by CCTV News on September 20, a store at Brunel University in London has started using finger vein recognition for payments. After registering your finger, you can complete a transaction just by placing your hand near the scanner. This is believed to be the first supermarket globally to adopt such a system.
As reported by The Telegraph, this technology is provided by a British company called Staller. By linking your finger vein data to your bank card, you can pay at any store that supports this system. Currently, dozens of students are testing the system, and the company expects up to 3,000 users by November.
From a security perspective, Staller claims that finger vein recognition is the safest form of biometric authentication. Unlike fingerprints, which can be affected by dirt, moisture, or damage, vein patterns remain stable and cannot be easily replicated. Additionally, the system doesn’t require direct contact with the device, further enhancing hygiene and convenience.
Staller also plans to expand the use of this technology to nightclubs, stadiums, and other public spaces. According to the company, this method simplifies the payment process, eliminating the need to carry cash, credit cards, or remember passwords. All you need is your finger.
**The identification process takes only 1–2 seconds**
How exactly does the system detect your finger veins? Sun Zhenan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a member of the Pattern Recognition Committee of the China Association of Artificial Intelligence, explained that vein recognition uses near-infrared light. When this light shines on the fingers or palms, the hemoglobin in the subcutaneous veins absorbs more of it than surrounding tissues, creating a clear contrast image.
Through an infrared CCD camera, the system captures images of the finger, palm, or back of the hand. It then extracts key features from the vein map using a dedicated algorithm and stores them in a database. During verification, the system scans the vein pattern in real time, processes the image, and compares it to the stored data to confirm identity.
Compared to traditional fingerprint systems, vein recognition is not affected by wet or dirty fingers, nor does it require the finger to be intact. Plus, there’s no physical contact with the device during the scan. "This identification process can take just one or two seconds," Sun Zhenan added.
Currently, vein recognition is mainly applied to the fingers, palms, and back of the hands. "The reason we focus on the hand is that near-infrared light can easily penetrate the skin to capture the vein structure," Sun explained. "Other parts of the body have less dense veins, making imaging more challenging."
**Vein recognition is still limited in market adoption**
Despite its high security, ease of use, fast identification speed, and accuracy, vein recognition is not yet widely used. One of the main challenges is that the vein patterns may change over time due to aging or physiological changes, and long-term stability is still being studied. There’s also a chance that registration might fail, especially due to technical limitations.
Moreover, the devices required for vein recognition are complex and expensive to produce. The design needs to be precise, and miniaturization remains a challenge. While the technology shows great promise, it still has a long way to go before becoming mainstream.
Shenzhen MovingComm Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.movingcommtech.com