EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Retailers continue to search for innovations that will draw customers back to their brick-and-mortar storefronts. One idea is to use a contactless hand scan at checkout counters to speed up transactions. The technology uses computer vision and depth geometry to identify the unique features of a person’s hand and instantly charge the credit card on file.

Amazon is developing “Orville,” a system giving Amazon Prime users hand scans at Whole Food Markets. Its accuracy has been measured at within one ten-thousandth of 1%, but Amazon engineers are aiming for one millionth of 1% before it’s launched.

Apple is testing similar biometrics in Apple Watch bands that will ID people using the skin on their wrists. Apple has not identified plans for the technology but they’re working to create frictionless authentication for faster payment processing and device security.

What remains to be seen is how customers will respond to a biometric check out process tied to bank accounts and credit scores. One source says customers should not give up biometric data. If the system is hacked, it could take six or more years to regain a stolen identity.

To learn more about contactless biometric payment systems, see this New York Post article.