India's Andhra Pradesh state has launched an iris-based identity management solution developed by US firm IriTech for use in pension distribution.The state's Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu presented the IriShield USB MK2120U solution at an event in the state on Tuesday.Although the iris scanner is manufactured by US-based IriTech, it was assembled to be marketed in India through its Indian partner, Biometronic Technology.The solution becomes the first iris authentication scanner to be STQC certified by the Indian government for the ongoing Aadhaar unique ID project.However, IriTech also makes the first iris product to be registered by the DGS&D (Department of Goods Supply and Disposal, Ministry of Commerce & Industry), with the IriShield USB MK2120U to be delivered to specific government departments and ministries.”The state's decision to use iris technology as a primary method to issue Aadhaar verified DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) will address concerns of total inclusiveness of its residence as well as providing a more accurate and a hygiene solution,” says Binod E. Mathai, Director of Biometronic Technology.The benefit of iris recognition include a superior enrolment rate, and it is less affected by aging and wear as fingerprints.In 2011, the Indian government launched a massive programme to collect the iris patterns and fingerprints of all of its 1.2 billion citizens within three years.In January, Indian biometrics expert Nandan Nilekani predicted that budget smartphones using iris scanners could become an important authentication tool for his country's biometric Aadhar unique ID number project.Note: Iritech will be exhibiting at the connect:ID event in Washington on 23-25 March.
Indian state deploys IriTech iris solution for pensioners
