Biometric padlock replaces key with fingerprint
05 January, 2017
category: Biometrics, Corporate
Unveiled at CES 2017, the BenjiLock is not a dog collar for that movie mutt from the 70s but rather “the world’s first traditional rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology,” says its Los Angeles-based manufacturer.
The biometric padlock was an honoree in CES’ Innovation Awards in the smart home category.
Here is how it works.
Enroll up to four fingerprints on the lock’s biometric sensor and store an encrypted template on the onboard chip. To open the lock in the future, simply scan your print, and if accepted, the lock opens.
The lock also includes a key option for those instances when the fingerprint fails or if the battery – with a reported charge life of one year – happens to die.
If multiple failed biometric logins are attempted, the lock apparently wipes out the enrolled biometrics and requires a key to open and reset. This seems a bit odd – as the failed attempts would not normally risk compromise to a biometric system — but SecureIDNews has not yet spoken with company reps for explanation.
The biometric padlock is available in a series of consumer friendly colors and will retail for $80 in Q3 of 2017.