Hyundai installs first fingerprint-based automotive technology

Wireless virtual keys have revolutionized vehicle access, but they are far from foolproof.

As early as 2012, researchers discovered that a considerable number of models on the market equipped with keyless start systems had security vulnerabilities that could affect the normal use of RFID chips in car anti-theft systems.

The RollJam smart system invented by Samy Kamkar, a hacker who broke into OnStar in 2015, can intercept the first set of door opening passwords sent by the remote control key. The owner who has not opened the car door will automatically send the second set of passwords, and RollJam will record the second set of passwords. . After writing down the two sets of passwords in this way, the hacker can enter the car.

Tesla’s car key and automatic entry functions once again subvert tradition. For example, there isn't any traditional key system, it relies entirely on Bluetooth Low Energy unlocking from your smartphone and a card.

But soon, researchers tested that Tesla's remote key can be cloned, and the cloned remote key can unlock the car and start the engine without the owner's knowledge.

Previously, some users also discovered that after closing the APP, they could no longer open the Model 3 door. Software vulnerabilities, settings, and deliberate hacker behavior all pose security threats to mobile phone keys.

"Because more and more methods can be used to steal multiple vehicles through passive entry systems, not just Teslas, we are rolling out a number of security enhancements to help our customers reduce the potential for unauthorized use of their vehicles ." Tesla said in a statement.

Earlier, Bentley took the lead in using fingerprint recognition for in-car equipment and launched an in-car fingerprint recognition safe for car owners, allowing car owners to safely place valuables in a secret place in the car. Tesla has previously developed a fingerprint entry system.

Hyundai considers fingerprint recognition to be a more secure system. This week Hyundai announced that it will install the first fingerprint-based automotive technology on the 2019 Santa Fe SUV.

The system will include two separate fingerprint sensors - one on the door handle and one on the ignition button. Drivers must pass through two scanners to enter and start the vehicle. At the same time, the fingerprint system will also provide personalized settings, such as seat position, interior temperature, infotainment and lighting, etc.

The fingerprint reader collects your fingerprint through semiconductor induction, extracts characteristic values, inputs it into the CPU for automatic storage and comparison, and then issues various instructions.

But in theory, forged fingerprints can still get into the car, and the chance of misidentification is one in 50,000. But according to Hyundai, the system measures the capacitance of the fingertip portion, linking the signature to the fingerprint itself. So if someone uses a fake fingerprint, the car should be able to tell that it's not the real driver.

Hyundai Motor said it plans to first deploy this technology in selected markets, and China will be the first market for this technology. If it proves useful and safe, it's likely to be copied quickly.

As with any new technology, every aspect of automotive biometrics is not perfect from the start. There are also challenges in fingerprint recognition.

Fingerprint recognition has high requirements on fingers and the environment. Fingerprint recognition may not work on rainy days. Everyone must have experienced this on mobile phones. It is difficult to unlock with fingerprints if your fingers are wet or sweaty; another point is that The security factor of fingerprint unlocking is not very high. Some researchers have successfully cracked fingerprint recognition by making fake fingerprints.

But the trend of cars equipped with fingerprint recognition technology has indeed become more and more obvious.

At the 2018 North American Auto Show, Nissan released a new SUV that supports smart driving, the X motion concept car, which uses fingerprint recognition technology to unlock doors and start the car through a fingerprint scanner to enhance the safety features of the car.

During the 2017 Asian CES exhibition, Continental Group demonstrated advanced biometric technology, including a fingerprint activation system.

OFILM Technology, a domestic listed company, previously stated that the company has also deployed new products such as in-vehicle fingerprint recognition systems. Another listed company, Goodix Technology, is also exploring the use of fingerprint products in car door handles and start buttons.

At present, major automobile manufacturers are also constantly trying various in-vehicle biometric vehicle Access Control systems to match various behavioral or physiological characteristics to realize the automation of access control monitoring systems. Biometric technology can be fingerprint recognition, iris scanning, facial recognition or voice recognition.

Additionally, vehicle access control systems that use biometrics are easy to use, faster at processing requests, and any unauthorized access can be easily tracked.

The global automotive industry is constantly trying new technologies, especially the automotive and technology industries, working together to deploy appropriate biometric solutions in the automotive industry. Additionally, biometric details can be used with connected cars and other technologies that will be critical in connected cars in the coming years.