xVista Develops the UK's First Portable Iris Scanning Technology

xVista, the Leeds-based technical solution provider has capitalised with new technology meaning that low power computer devices such as camera mobile phones will be able to verify a person’s iris in just one second.  xVista said: “Each human is unique.  The chance of two irises matching is 1 in 7 billion, offering unbeatable protection against fraud. 

Karlis Obrams, Managing Director of xVista says: “The xVista technology performs a similar task to the traditional signature, photograph or pin number in confirming an individual’s identity, but is far more reliable. The fact that the system can run from portable devices like the mobile phone and SIM card opens up fantastic potential for its use, making it far more effective than other scanning systems that are usually bulky and limited to fixed points.

In association with the University of Sussex, the development was has taken six years and £1.8 million to complete but xVista are confident that their the new iris scanning technology will provide heightened security to sectors including mobile telecoms, consumer electronics, banking and aviation.  Mr Obrams says:

“Using an airport as an example, the xVista system can be deployed across all members of a security team in a discreet handheld device, enabling staff to know within seconds whether a pilot, crew member or baggage handler is who they say they are, offering peace of mind against threats such as identity theft and terrorism.” 

xVista is currently in discussions with the Defence Diversification Agency - the government agency responsible for identifying new civil technology with potential for defence and homeland security application.