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Tourists in Japan could soon use their fingerprints as currency

Soon, you may be able to touch to buy — literally. Capitalizing upon its status as one of the most technologically advanced and innovative countries in the world, Japan is planning to test a new system of currency over the summer — the fingerprint. We’ve moved from precious metals to paper to plastic to flesh, and Japanese officials hope that this latest idea will actually help prevent crime and improve efficiency, especially as the tourist population booms in anticipation of the 2020 Olympics, to be held in Tokyo. Currently, some 300 stores, restaurants, hotels, and other places of commerce are signed up to participate in the initial testing of the fingerprint payment option.

The idea is similar to Apple Pay or other mobile payment systems that utilize fingerprint scanning. If implemented, tourists would have to register their fingerprints and connect them with valuable data, like credit card information, at airports and other official locations. Then, consumers would be able to buy merchandise or pay for services by simply placing two fingers on special devices scattered throughout the country. And while your fingerprint is meant to be your most unique identifier, it still won’t replace other forms of government-issued ID. For example, when you check into a hotel room, you’ll still have to flash a passport.

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Such a system has already been tested in Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo, where customers were able to pay via fingerprint in 30 different stores and restaurants. It seems it achieved great success, with a park official noting, “The system has been well received by customers, including those with children, since it saves them the trouble of taking their wallets out.”

Aeon Bank is also planning on testing the technology, allowing customers to visit ATMs with nothing more than their fingers. This, the bank says, should help with the safety of the machines. “The system is also superior in the area of security, such as preventing people from impersonating our customers,” an official said.

So if you live in fear of losing your wallet, this may be the perfect time for you to head over to Japan. All you need to bring is yourself.

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Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
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For cars registered between 2020 and 2022, EVs averaged just 4.2 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles, while ICE cars saw more than double that, at 10.4 per 1,000. Even with more EVs hitting the road, they only accounted for 1.2% of total breakdowns — a big win for the battery-powered crowd.
Among standout performers, some cars delivered exceptionally low breakdown rates. The Audi A4 clocked in at just 0.4 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles for 2022 models, with Tesla’s Model 3 right behind at 0.5. The Volkswagen ID.4, another popular EV, also impressed with a rate of 1.0 – as did the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross at 1.3. On the flip side, there were some major outliers: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 showed a surprisingly high 22.4 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles for its 2022 models, while the hybrid Toyota RAV4 posted 18.4.
Interestingly, the most common issue for both EVs and ICE vehicles was exactly the same: the humble 12-volt battery. Despite all the futuristic tech in EVs, it’s this old-school component that causes 50% of all EV breakdowns, and 45% for gas-powered cars. Meanwhile, EVs shine in categories like engine management and electrical systems — areas where traditional engines are more complex and failure-prone.
But EVs aren’t completely flawless. They had a slightly higher rate of tire-related issues — 1.3 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles compared to 0.9 for ICE cars. That could be due to their heavier weight and high torque, which can accelerate tire wear. Still, this trend is fading in newer EVs as tire tech and vehicle calibration improve.
Now, zooming out beyond Germany: a 2024 Consumer Reports study in the U.S. painted a different picture. It found that EVs, especially newer models, had more reliability issues than gas cars, citing tech glitches and inconsistent build quality. But it’s worth noting that the American data focused more on owner-reported problems, not just roadside breakdowns.
So, while the long-term story is still developing, especially for older EVs, Germany’s data suggests that when it comes to simply keeping you on the road, EVs are pulling ahead — quietly, efficiently, and with far fewer breakdowns than you might expect.

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You may have seen robots dancing like the music icon Mick Jagger, doing parkour, or even painting on a canvas. Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot is eagerly anticipated, while Google and Meta are also planning to enter the field. The competition in the East, however, is on a different level altogether.

China just put humanoid robots to the test in the world’s first race of its kind, where they ran alongside humans in a half-marathon. A total of 21 robots lined up for the event in the Yizhuang half-marathon, following a long spell of supervised learning on roads. 

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