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I think I've lost my...fingerprints - 18 July 2008

Posted by Paul Collins 1 comment


Strange looking finger...

Most of us have been there – that heart-stopping moment when you delve into bag or pocket for the familiar bulk of a set of keys for the front door, and find nothing. The result is often a frantic rummaging for something you know is not there, handbag contents strewn across the front step, or pocket contents balanced precariously in one hand while the other performs a rubbish imitation of being patted down by a particularly clumsy cop.

A potential saviour of the drunken, forgetful, or just plain unfortunate is about to become reality for property buyers in leafy Surrey, as the first development to use solely biometric identification as a method of door entry goes on sale. Estate agent Townends is selling apartments at Guildford House in Surbiton which do not come with keys to the front door – all you need is a standard-issue fingerprint.

Obviously, this is much more convenient than having to take a set of keys with you everywhere, but for the security-conscious this system has huge appeal as well. No more will anyone have to call out the locksmith and replace mortises and deadbolts when a set of keys is lost. It even prevents buyers from illegally sub-letting any property, as there will no doubt be some kind of registration to get new fingers put on the system.

On the other hand, some more paranoid residents may not like the idea of there being some kind of record of their movements stored on a database somewhere. While it is difficult to imagine where and how the information might be used, it isn’t particularly pleasing to think that someone might be able to find out how many times during a month you get home after midnight.

I imagine there may be some technology issues to overcome in practice. For example, what happens when the system breaks down? Does it mean no one can get into the building until an engineer is able to come out? It is also not yet clear how the system will cope with a digit smeared with the inevitable grease from an ill-advised doner kebab at 2am.

This is clearly the future of entry systems for both individual private residences and larger developments of apartments. I’m sure everyone will be happy to see the end of the challenge of getting the key into the lock after one drink too many, but make sure you think ahead before you arrange for someone to come and feed Tiddles while you’re away for a fortnight in Corfu.

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Comments

1. Xpaced - July 21, 2008

I'd be a little wary about giving up my keys and accepting this system wholeheartedly. Its somewhat reassuring knowing that you've got your keys in your pocket, albeit with the possibility of dropping them down a drain! I'd feebly give up my keys to an enraged mugger, rather than have him drag me back to my house to open the door!

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