Nymi: The bracelet that uses heartbeats to unlock your world
03 September, 2013
category: Biometrics, Digital ID
Biometric vendor Bionym is launching its flagship solution, Nymi, a wearable authentication device that leverages the user’s unique heartbeat to unlock their identity.
Nymi enables authentication through an embedded electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. After a short activation process wherein Nymi recognizes the wearer’s personal ECG, the bracelet then communicates your identity to your devices.
An ECG is unique to the user. Nymi enables users to take their identity to a completely interactive level. In addition to traditional authentication, the bracelet supports simple, task-specific gesture commands that can enable a dynamic interactive experience between the user and the technology they interact with. Nymi leverages both motion sensing and proximity detection. With a simple twist of the wrist, Nymi has the capability to unlock a car and much more.
The wearer remains authenticated until Nymi is removed and can be used to gain access to all registered devices, bypassing passwords and PINs. The bracelet communicates with the various devices via Bluetooth. While offering convenience and ease of use, Bionym CEO Karl Martin stresses that security remains a top priority.
The Nymi device functions as a three-factor security system. It requires your personalized Nymi, your unique heartbeat and a smart phone or device registered to the accompanying app.
This system, along with the ECG biometrics underlying it, enables for complete security without compromising convenience. Upon registering with Nymi’s accompanying app – which will be available on iOS, Android, Windows and Mac OSX – users are given the ability to create custom notifications, allowing for seamless connection to emails, texts, social updates and more.
“When it comes to identity, privacy is a chief concern, and Nymi has been built by the principles of Privacy by Design,” says Martin. “This means that each user has complete control over their data and identity. Transparency is very important to Bionym’s culture, and every user has a right to know where their data is going.”
Above all, Nymi has been designed as a future-proof solution and will support interaction with developers in the hopes of creating a community that will explore the digital and social possibilities that Nymi can provide.
The Nymi bracelet will be available for pre-order beginning September 3 for less than $100, with deliveries expected in early 2014. For more about the device, pricing and pre-orders visit Nymi’s website.
