Hyundai is getting ready to roll out fingerprinting technology in the upcoming midsize 2019 Santa Fe.
First debuting at the Guangzhou Auto Show, the technology comprises two fingerprint scanning sensors -- one on the start button and one on the door handle. A light tap can lock and unlock the car, start the ignition, and activate the driver's custom cabin settings, adjusting side mirrors, entertainment settings, temperature, and seating on demand. It will be able to save settings for up to five people.
At the moment, only the Tesla Model 3 is capable of starting with a fingerprint scan.
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"In the future, Hyundai Motor Company plans to further expand the application of the technology to allow the adjustment of temperature, steering wheel position, and many other features which will be tailored to driver's preferences," said Albert Biermann, president of research and development at Hyundai.
According to Hyundai, the fingerprint sensor will have an error rate of 1 in 50,000 in Hyundai models. The company also claims that it is five times more effective than convention keys and smart keys. It is also fingerprint-proof, backed by "capacitance recognition," which detects electricity emitted from various portions of your fingerprint to map to prevent paper copies or other replications from being used. Other technology will also include a rear seat ultrasonic sensor to alert drivers not to leave their children behind, along with Baidu (the equivalent of Google in China) voice assistant software.
Look for Hyundai's fingerprint technology to be rolled out in select Hyundai dealerships, with China being among the first emerging markets, according to Autoweek. No word yet when it will arrive stateside.