Hyundai is developing smart fingerprint technology that will allow drivers to unlock and start a vehicle without using keys.

The technology is set to debut this year on the new Santa Fe.

It will allow multiple users to have access to a vehicle without a need to pass on the key.

To unlock the vehicle, the driver can place their finger on a sensor located on the door handle.

The driver can also start the vehicle by touching the ignition, which is also equipped with a fingerprint scanning sensor.

Upon recognition of the fingerprint, a customized driving environment can be provided. The vehicle automatically adjusts seating positions, connected car features, and side-view mirror angles according to the driver.

“In the future, Hyundai Motor 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 and head of research and development division of the Hyundai Motor Company. “This will ultimately offer quality driving experience to each and every Hyundai customer.”

Hyundai says it has addressed security issues by using capacitance recognition, which detects differentials in the electricity level in various parts of the fingertip, the fingerprint technology efficiently prevents forgeries and faked fingerprints.

According to the brand, the technology’s chance of misrecognizing other person’s finger print as the driver’s is only one in 50,000 making it five times more effective than conventional vehicle keys, including smart keys.

Moreover, through real-time learning of fingerprints supported by ‘dynamic update’ system, the fingerprint system can continually improve its success rate. 

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