NIST Seeks Research Industry Partners for Contactless Fingerprint Scanners; Michael Garris Comments

The National Institute of Standards and Technology continues its search for industry partners that will help develop and commercialize contactless fingerprint readers.

NIST said Thursday it researches touchless fingerprint scanners from companies such as 3M and MorphoTrak under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements.

“The largest challenge we are facing is that this new technology produces images that are fundamentally different than existing images,” said Michael Garris, biometrics senior scientist at NIST.

“The CRADA provides a trustworthy environment for industry to come together and openly work with NIST.”

The agency also collaborates with FBI’s Biometric Center of Excellence to develop open testing procedures, metrics and requirements in order to back the certification and inclusion of contactless fingerprint tools in the list of Government Certified Products.