Wristband replaces keys and passwords with user’s heartbeat

Hoping to make device logins more seamless, the Nymi is a bracelet that allows users to unlock a range of devices using their unique heart patterns.

We’ve already written about the GEAK NFC ring, which enables Japanese consumers to unlock their smartphone without a passcode. Now the Nymi is hoping to improve on this idea, allowing users to unlock a range of devices using their unique heart patterns.

Developed by the Toronto-based Bionym, the Nymi takes the form of a discrete rubber band that features a sensor next to the wearer’s wrist. When a finger is placed on a second sensor on the top of the device, the bracelet recognizes the user’s cardiac rhythm – which is unique to them – and powers up the device. For extra security, the Nymi can also be registered with the user’s smartphone, which is required to be within close proximity for the wristband to work. Once ready, the device can be used to unlock computers and online accounts, make small payments through NFC, and even unlock the user’s front door or car. The wristband can also detect hand gestures to give wearers greater control over when their devices are unlocked. The video below shows the Nymi in action:

Considering the number of passwords the average computer user has these days – and the increasing number they’ll need as more appliances are updates with smart features – the Nymi offers a new way to provide automatic, yet secure authentication. Can this kind of contactless data transfer be useful for other types of interactions?

Spotted by: Murtaza Patel