Fujitsu Vein Scanners Head Stateside

Fujitsu's PalmSecure log-in kit will grant access to Windows and applications by scanning your veins with a sensor embedded in a mouse.

The fancy fingerprint scanner on your laptop will look dated as dated as a Master Lock when Fujitsu brings it latest biometric identification tools to the United States, which identify individuals based on the vein patterns in their hands. The Japanese company announced the upcoming U.S. availability of a PalmSecure log-in kit on Monday.

The kit will include a mouse with an embedded PalmSecure authentication sensor and OmniPass software, which allows the sensor readings to substitute for Windows and application passwords. Fujitsu claims the highly unique pattern of human veins in a hand and the accuracy of its sensor make the PalmSecure system more accurate than other biometric identification systems. Fingerprint systems, for example, can deliver false negatives from dry or cracked hands.

“For small and mid-size businesses struggling with security procedures and challenging compliance issues, the need for a biometric device conducive to their work environment is vital,” said Joel Hagberg, vice president of Fujitsu America’s marketing and business development, in a statement. “With the PalmSecure PC Log-In Kit, applications which require IDs and passwords, or log-ins to PCs, can now be done more efficiently and securely using palm vein biometric authentication.”

Although Fujitsu will debut the log-in kit at the 2008 RSA security conference going on this week, it won’t be available through retail channels until June. No price has yet been announced.