The fingerprint scanning sensor in phones is not a big deal anymore, but it is still a gimmick, in its baby stage, in the auto industry. It is, however, found on the Bentley Bentayga on the center console to hide and secure your precious valuables. However, it is slowly crawling into mass cars as well, as Hyundai is about going to implement fingerprint recognition technology in its premium SUV, the Santa Fe.

Technology On Your Fingertips

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is all set to feature fingerprint scanning technology starting from the first quarter of the coming year. But unlike Bentley, which uses it to just secure valuables, Hyundai will implement it to unlock the SUV and fire up the engine. According to Hyundai, this advanced technology developed is much more than just a gimmick. What does that mean, you ask? Well, it refers to the system’s ability to detect differentials in the electricity level in various parts of the fingertip, so faked fingerprints and forgeries won’t be an issue. As a matter of fact, Hyundai mentions fingerprint tech is up to five times more effective than conventional keys as the likelihood of misrecognizing another person’s fingerprint is 1 in 50,000. Not a bad thing, aye?

How Does It Work?

Hyundai has placed one scanning sensor on the door handle and the other on the start/stop button. Once this is successfully implemented, the sensor will be developed to enable automatic adjustment of the cabin temperature, steering wheel position, and all sorts of other functions. The fingerprint scanner can also get updates over the air; so you don’t have to worry about your sensor technology becoming outdated. In fact, it will only get better and more accurate with time courtesy of further developments.

Conclusion

Although this technology will debut in the 2019 Santa Fe, it will soon find its way into other Hyundai cars as well. If Sante Fe gets it, the company’s flagship SUV, the Palisade, will surely be launched with the fingerprint scanner. What are your thoughts on the fingerprint scanning technology in cars? Lo, it or leave it? Let us know in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe.