14 Jun 2010

Iris recognition

The use of iris recognition technology is expanding around the globe and it is being utilized in a vast array of commercial and government applications ranging from access control to time management.

Often confused with a retinal scan, iris recognition systems capture an image of the eye, and then analyze the colored part around the pupil that you see on the front of the eye called the “iris”.  

The retina, on the other hand, is made up of the photoreceptor cells located at the back of the eye and is not visible. While iris recognition essentially captures an image of the texture of the iris, a retinal scan captures an image of the pattern of the retina’s blood vessels inside the physical eye.

The technology is spreading fast. But, while many people believe that iris recognition is still the high tech stuff of spy movies and high-level government agents, the truth is that some of its current applications are basic.

Read more about how iris recognition technology stack up to more common biometrics, such as fingerprints and examples from the real world where it is used on ASSA ABLOY's Future Lab.

Click here to read this interesting article in full on ASSA ABLOY Future Lab.