Medion GoPal GPS Units Scan Fingerprints

Going somewhere? Not without the right set of fingers.

After releasing the world’s first fingerprint-scanning GPS unit last year, GPS manufacturer Medion has added the same ability to its three latest personal navigation devices. The GoPal P5235, P5435 and X5535 PNDs all require a finger scan to operate, rendering them useless if stolen.

Medion used AuthenTec’s AES 1510 fingerprint sensor for all three units, the same unit used in many other mobile devices including mobile phones. The company’s TruePrint technology scans below the exterior skin layer to the living tissue beneath, supposedly delivering exceptionally accurate scans. Users may enroll up to five different fingerprints in the system, which will then require a successful scan from one of them to operate.

All three units feature five-inch displays and TMC reception for routing around traffic snarls. The top of the line unit even has a built-in gyrometer to continue tracking during temporary GPS signal loss, like in tunnels.

Medion has announced that all of the new GPS devices are destined for European markets, but prices have not yet been revealed.