Biometric scanners to delve inside your brain

Scanners that probe brain activity and heart rate are among the next generation of biometric security sensors being developed by the EU.

As part of an EU-backed trial, volunteers were sat in front of a camera and microphone and wore a cap that measured heart and brain activity.

The volunteer's voice, face, heart and brain activity was matched to their record, called up on the computer by an RFID chip carried by the volunteer, and used to verify their identity.

The trial is part of the Humabio project. Humabio stands for Human Monitoring and Authentication using Biometric Indicators and Behavioural Analysis. The project is looking at biometric systems that could be fitted to control access to sensitive locations using "unobtrusive" biometric checks.

Researchers said the volunteers had "no reservations" about the sensors and the system was able to block all unauthorised access attempts.

Other technologies being developed by Humabio include seats with sensors that refuse to start a vehicle if it can't authenticate the driver.

Again the systems verified identity by checking brain and heart activity and facial and voice recognition, as well as the seat. An onboard computer in the Volvo lorry simulator checks these biometrics against a stored record.

The seat recognises when the driver has left the seat and after a short period of time requires authorisation again before starting the vehicle.

The 14 volunteers who tested the system were keen on the improvement to vehicle security but one person raised concerns about the safety of their personal data.