Anonymity in the field is becoming all but impossible. Image Credit: SSgt. Ezekiel R. Kitandwe
The Pentagon has developed a device capable of identifying someone from their cardiac signature.
During US military operations, accurately determining whether or not a specific individual is present at a potential target location is often critical to the success of a mission.
Traditional identification methods deployed in the field include facial recognition (which speaks for itself) and gait analysis, which attempts to identify a person from their unique walking style.
Now the Pentagon has come up with a completely new type of identification technology capable of recognizing a person's unique cardiac signature.
Known as Jetson, the device works by firing an infrared laser at a target up to 200 meters away and uses a technique known as laser vibrometry to detect the subtle movements of a person's heartbeat.
According to its designers it should be theoretically possible to increase the range by using a more powerful laser, however they stopped short of suggesting that it could work from space.
"Compared with face, cardiac biometrics are more stable and can reach more than 98% accuracy," said Wenyao Xu of the State University of New York at Buffalo.
I don't remember the context or article I was reading but I do recall a statement many years ago about our satellite imagery during the 1967 war in Israel. We took a picture of a watch on the wrist of an Israeli officer and could tell the time. 1967... I know we've had the ability for quite a while to listen in on conversations using the same or a similar technology by aiming a laser at a window behind which people are talking. This is an interesting new twist... and kind of creepy at the same time.
Interesting that they are saying 98% identifiable. Given there are billions of people on this planet. Maybe if they have a limited number of suspects, then they can tell who is who?
Would be fantastic to have this thing check people at the entrance in hospitals or at public places in summer when heats are crazy. Power of good optics and training, some surveillance photos from that time period are still fascinating. There was little to no electronic assistance back then.
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