Hitachi, a Japanese consumer electronics company , has developed a steering wheel that can identify the driver of the vehicle and can also be used to control its electronics.
Called the "Finger Vein Authentication Steering Wheel System", it allows different functions to be assigned to each finger. One finger can be used, for example, to control the setup of the interior of the car (seat and side mirrors, etc.) while another finger can be used to control the navigation system. The system can also authorize automatic payment in drive-thrus or for music downloads!
The great advantage is that, while the driver's hands are using the controls, his or her eyes can remain focused on the road.
The system is based on a technology that passes light through a finger as a key. Hitachi has been working on this since 1997.
The technology was exhibited at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.
More details can be found at Business Week. Our take? Now you tell us that isn’t cool!