The New Volvo Concept Car Reaps the Benefits of Fingerprint Card Technology

    STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Jan. 8, 2001--The new Volvo "Safety Concept Car" is now on display at the Detroit Motor Show.
    The concept car has been developed in order to illustrate the direction of future safety efforts at the Volvo Car Corporation and the Ford Motor Company. A new unique remote control, where the user identity is secured by finger verification, is a key feature in the development of personal security. This device, which automatically stores and communicates information using Bluetooth technology, may replace conventional car keys in the future.
    Volvo Car Corporation AB has developed a new intelligent remote control, the Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC), in collaboration with, among others, Fingerprint Cards AB and Combitech Systems AB. The VPC is part of the "Safety Concept Car", which Volvo is exhibiting at the Detroit Motor Show taking place January 8-21. The security concept includes features such as passive unlocking, a warning that there is somebody in the car, a panic function, remote alarm status and automatic dialling of the emergency services in the event of an accident.
    The VPC is a refinement of the remote control in a keyless locking system. It introduces new benefits such as enhanced information exchange implemented as a two-way communication secured with biometric personal identification. The car automatically recognises the remote control and transmits the personal settings for the present user. User identity is secured by means of Fingerprint Card technology, specially developed for compact mobile systems, typically installed in confined spaces and possessing a high level of user friendliness. The integrated Bluetooth technology also allows data to be transferred between the VPC and a PC or handheld computer, e.g. a driving log, route scheduler, address book, e-mail or computer file, etc.

    Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) is quoted on the O-list of the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The company has developed a complete system for finger verification that can be implemented in small portable units. A number of patents protect this technology, which is licensed to manufacturers of products where user identification is a security requirement. Examples of such products are mobile telephones, smart card systems and the field of data security and building access systems. This technology comprises two microchips developed in-house and software for storing, reading and matching finger patterns completely independent of any PC.