By Mohammed Murad

Iris recognition technology continues to attract excitement among the various biometric modalities, as shown in a recent survey conducted by the online publication, FindBiometrics. In its annual Year in Review survey completed early this year, more than 900 industry professionals named iris recognition as the second most exciting biometric, trailing only facial-based technology and, for the first time, passing fingerprint technology.

The results among the top three biometric solutions were:

  • Facial recognition 38.5%
  • Iris recognition 23%
  • Fingerprint recognition 12%

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in facial and iris recognition topping the list as biometric technology users grew concerned about passing the virus through touching shared devices such as fingerprint readers. Both facial and iris technologies are contactless.

Besides being the most accurate of the widely used biometrics, iris recognition offers a critical benefit face and fingerprint readers lack – the ability to work with personal protective equipment. An iris reader is accurate even when employees wear gloves, masks or goggles.

According to the FindBiometrics article, multimodal solutions finished fourth in the survey (8.5%), ahead of biometrics such as behavioral, voice, physiological and vein patterns. That’s also an exciting find as a majority of Iris ID products offer multimodal solutions.

For example, the handheld iCAM M300 device, designed for non-contact field use by law enforcement, access control, national ID programs and border control, includes embedded cameras that employ both iris and facial modes. An optional fingerprint scanner is available.

And the contactless iT100 uses a fusion of iris and facial recognition to provide a time and attendance platform with increased accuracy and convenience.

The identity authentication market continues to evolve. And Iris ID will continue providing the industry’s most accurate and convenient – and contactless – solutions required by enterprise organizations and small businesses.