Biometric Entry and Start Systems
Biometrics refers to using personal physical characteristics – like your fingerprint, face, or even eyes – for identification. Smartphones have made biometrics commonplace for unlocking screens, and now cars are adopting similar tech for access control.
Two major biometric methods in cars are fingerprint recognition and facial recognition:
Fingerprint scanners: In 2018, Hyundai announced a smart fingerprint system on the Santa Fe SUV that lets drivers unlock the doors by placing a registered finger on a sensor, and also start the car with a fingerprint scanner on the ignition button[111]. This was touted as a world-first application in a production car[112]. The fingerprint data is stored securely, and Hyundai claimed the chance of misidentifying someone else’s print as yours was 1 in 50,000 – making it five times more effective than conventional car keys, which can be stolen or spoofed[113]. Moreover, tying the car to individuals allows personalization: when you unlock with your fingerprint, the car can automatically adjust settings (seat position, mirrors, etc.) to your profile[114]. Hyundai demonstrated this personalization, and indeed said in the future it could also automate climate control, steering wheel position, and other settings per the fingerprint ID[115]. Their system also continually learns via ‘dynamic update’ to improve fingerprint recognition over time[116]. We are now seeing fingerprint start buttons in some luxury models and EVs (for example, some Chinese market cars have them, and Genesis has one in the GV60). It’s quite literally like pressing the home button on your phone – but instead you press the start button with your finger and the car unlocks the ignition if it recognizes you.
Facial recognition (Face ID for cars): The Genesis GV60 electric SUV (launched in 2022/2023) became the first production car to offer face recognition to unlock[117]. It has a little infrared camera in the B-pillar. To set it up, you use the car’s app to enroll your face (taking scans from a couple angles). Then you can leave your key fob and phone behind – simply walk up to the car, press a button on the door handle, and the camera scans your face. If you’re authorized, the doors unlock[117][118]. Once inside, you still need to start the car – that’s done with a fingerprint scanner on the console (the GV60 has both face unlock and fingerprint start)[117][119]. Genesis markets this as “Face Connect” and the ability to go surfing or hiking without any keys/phone – you don’t have to worry about losing them or getting them wet; your face is your key[120]. A glowing indicator on the pillar shows status – a green ring means recognized, red means not (or no face detected)[121]. Importantly, the system uses near-infrared (NIR) cameras and 3D facial mapping, so it works in the dark and can’t be fooled by a photo[122][117]. It’s similar tech to the iPhone’s Face ID. Genesis proudly noted this “world-first” face unlock combined with fingerprint start offers a completely keyless experience[117][119].
Other biometric ideas include iris scanning (not used in cars yet, but being researched) and voice recognition (cars do have voice control, but using it for secure authentication is tricky given how voices can be recorded). Another subtle use of biometrics is driver monitoring cameras (meant for detecting drowsiness or attention) – those could double as identity verification, recognizing if the person behind the wheel is authorized or even adjusting settings based on who it “sees.”