ATRD M10 offers fingerprint scanning for your car

It looks like those not satisfied with the current security measures on their vehicle will soon have another option at their disposal for some added peace of mind, with ATRD's new M10 device set to offer some fingerprint scanning as a means of last resort. The system can apparently be retrofitted into just about any vehicle, with a variety of different modules available to integrate it with various alarm and immobilization systems. With the device installed, you'll have to first put the key in your vehicle to start the electronics, and then place your finger on the scanner in order to start the ignition. For those sharing a vehicle, you'll be able store up to ten different prints, and there's also a "valet mode" that'll let others drive the vehicle. No word on a price or release date, but we're sure some of you can whip up your own solution with some off-the-shelf gear -- if you haven't already.

[Via Autoblog]

[Kiwi616 @ Aug 24th 2007 4:40PM]

Great Idea...now along with taking your wallet/purse and car, the can slice your finger off to start your car as well. :)

[Emceay @ Aug 24th 2007 8:18PM]

That actually happened to a man in Malaysia a few years ago. Once the criminals discovered the man didn't need to be attached, they tossed him out on the side of the road.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4396831.stm

[jimmyfinch @ Aug 25th 2007 5:23PM]

I have a print reader on a gun safe mounted on the wall next to my front door. It checks the temperature of the finger as well as the print.

I would hope that car's print reader has the same technology.

[Drew @ Aug 24th 2007 4:55PM]

Cool, now we won't be able to start our care OR our laptops...

[Trent @ Aug 24th 2007 5:05PM]

Beware of people approaching you with garden sheers.

[Johan S @ Aug 24th 2007 5:21PM]

Spreading fingerprint dust on the sensor is too much work for car theives.

Right?

[Lard @ Aug 24th 2007 5:37PM]

Cutting off a finger is not going to work, the minute you seize blood flow your finger print will alter. Now all we need is for the banks to start requiring a finger print authentication for credit card purchases and the identity theft factor is diminished to almost zero...

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 24th 2007 8:18PM]

That is not true. What this youtube video does not show, is how they lifted the fingerprint from a drinking glass Grant used. The method of transfer was to lift it using transparent tape then solidify it with vaporized superglue. Then the print copy was darkened using (i believe) graphite. It was then put on a xerox for enlargement and a ballistics gel clone was produced by tracing the lines of the print.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZyFXCPpp-k
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/22/digital-fingerprint-door-lock-defeated-by-photocopied-print/

[Emceay @ Aug 24th 2007 8:21PM]

Do you think a thief would know that? Especially before he cuts your finger off? What good is having your car secure if your finger is missing, save for driving yourself to the hospital?

[Claus Christensen @ Aug 25th 2007 12:17AM]

Well then I guess the years I have been in the industry has fooled me, The fingerprint was applied to a Optic sensor on a lock that cost $199, which stores a virtual Jpeg of your finger print.

I could open that with a cocktail wiener, Look at the sensor displayed in the car.....BIG difference. AND I did not see any cutting of any finger in the clip, did you??? get your facts straight

[bombastinator @ Aug 25th 2007 7:23AM]

Do you watch mythbusters? They made an artifical thumb from a print on a cd and opened a very very expensive high security lock with multiple redundancy systems including heat and blood flow sensors.

One try. Maybe 5 dollars worth of materials.

These days the high security industry has more or less given up on finger prints, and are looking to retinal scans and haptics to do keyless entry.

[Shane @ Aug 24th 2007 5:43PM]

Cool idea but ATRD by any other name is still A Turd.

[randy @ Aug 24th 2007 5:43PM]

What if I'm not driving?

[Rob @ Aug 24th 2007 6:08PM]

Wait a minute. I'd still need to carry the damn key. What's the advantage in having this thing then.
Look, when thieves want to take your car, they'd find a way to do it. As unfortunate as it sounds, it's the sad truth. Unless, of course, you walk around with a double-barrel handing down your arm.

This is as unpractical as having it on your pc and then scan your finger, and on top of that, type in your password. Let's simplify things, and not add more steps to a simple process.

It's not quite ready yet. When they figure out a way to eliminate the key, then give me a call.

[Ben @ Aug 24th 2007 6:38PM]

The security gurus say that in order to be truly secure, you need:

1.) Something you HAVE (keys)
2.) Something you ARE (fingerprint)
3.) Something you KNOW (password???)

In the movie Transporter the driver had a passcode that he had to enter to start the ignition. I can't remember if he had a key as well, though.

[kevin rummelhart @ Aug 24th 2007 6:16PM]

Could they not just design a seat that recognizes the imprint of you ass?

[Captain Lag @ Aug 24th 2007 7:04PM]

Yet another way the government can track you down.

[Twitchy @ Aug 24th 2007 7:30PM]

Only if your car likes to talk to the government you conspiracy nut. It is a closed system, like your door bell - or does your door bell tell Uncle Sam who'c visiting you?

BTW, this is a re-invention. Such a system had been offered in the past by some German car manufacturers (I believe it was BMW), but it was dropped as it prooved too unreliable.

And to be terribly honest, if someone want's your car, they're going to get it even if it's bolted down. The only thing this may do is deter the average idiot thief, and so reduce your insurance premiums by sweet f.a.

[Emceay @ Aug 24th 2007 8:27PM]

No, my doorbell doesn't. Their cellphone does.

[Twitchy @ Aug 24th 2007 7:43PM]

Hold on a minute - after closer inspection I think that car in the picture IS a BMW. Looks like the E38?

[Logik @ Aug 24th 2007 9:27PM]

Probably an E46. Looks exactly like mine (E46 3), except mine is sand color interior.

[Travis Owens @ Aug 25th 2007 8:23AM]

I'm no expert of car wiring, but I would assume that in order to install this device, you'd have to hotwire this to the starter, meaning you've probably added two wires that once the circuit is complete, the car starts. This would be controller by the chip in the finger scanner.

So what happens when I pry up this device with a flat head screwdriver and short the wires? I'll put $20 on the car starting.

[psychodad1961 @ Aug 25th 2007 10:56AM]

NOT true. This device interfaces with the car's immobilizer system either in or 'under' the dash to retrict fuel/spark until it receives the correct print. Then using an 'interface module' it provides an actual binary code to the immobilizer module just like a key-coded ignition, say in a GM vehicle. So shorting any wires would render the car undrivable. And there are no external wiring modifications. This is more than just starter kill.

[psychodad1961 @ Aug 25th 2007 10:59AM]

You can send my $20 to psychodad1961@paypal ;-)

[psychodad1961 @ Aug 25th 2007 12:35PM]

Check that. Send to [e-mail] at paypal

[psychodad1961 @ Aug 25th 2007 12:35PM]

Check that. Send to [e-mail] at paypal