A new patent has appeared detailing how Amazon wants to use our hands as a form of identification, removing the need to pull out an app or card to pay.
As Recode reports, the patent was filed in June 2018 and is titled "Non-contact Biometric Identification System." It details an identification system whereby a hand scanner is used to capture detailed images of an individuals hand. The images are then analyzed to identify wrinkles and vein patterns, which are then divided into sub-images and turned into a unique signature for the person. After that, a simple hand scan can match the stored signature to the individual and prove their identity.
Removing the need to pull out your wallet or load up an app on your phone could greatly improve the experience of visiting a store such as Amazon Go or Whole Foods. In Amazon Go stores especially, using your hand to gain entry rather than an app will make for a faster shop, which is ultimately more convenient and therefore increases the chances you'll return to do more shopping.
The obvious negative in all this is security. Amazon already holds a lot of data about its customers, and even more so if they've opted to use Alexa on one or more devices or protect their homes with Ring hardware. Now the company could store your unique hand ID too, assuming this system goes ahead and gets installed at Amazon's stores.
It's also important to remember Amazon likes others to embrace its technology. For example, Amazon Pay can be used by other companies to handle online payments. If Amazon perfects hand identification, what's to stop it being offered to other retailers? Your palm could be accepted everywhere before long.
For now, Amazon isn't commenting, but it's clear biometric identification is being worked on as a potential replacement for cards and apps.