IDEX UNVEILS MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRIALISATION PARTNER AND LAUNCHES NEW, JOINT TOUCH SENSOR
IDEX ASA, a world leader in fingerprint imaging and recognition technology, today announced that the previously undisclosed mobile communications partner is CrucialTec Corp., a global leader in mobile input solutions, part of the Crucial Family with headquarters and public listing in South Korea. The combined strengths of the two companies offers major smartphone and mobile device manufacturers IDEX’s best in class sensors, strong patent protection together with CrucialTec’s long established mass manufacturing, industrial knowhow and cost efficient supply to multiple end customers. CrucialTec is a world leader in the supply of Biometric Track Pads based on fingerprint sensing to the mobile market. The partnership addresses the growing demand for next-generation biometric solutions that advance security and provide ease-of-use for mobile end users. IDEX and CrucialTec have been working together intensively to develop and industrialize new fingerprint authentication solutions for rapid market introduction.
Due to strong demand from mobile OEMs for higher-value touch sensors following the launch of the Apple iPhone 5S with TouchID, IDEX and CrucialTec have collaborated to deliver a first-generation small-area mobile touch sensor sampling in the first quarter of 2014. The first-generation product is designed for both Android and Windows devices. The sensor is based on IDEX-led silicon sensor development, with the advanced sensing algorithm and modularization development led by CrucialTec.
Concurrently, IDEX is continuing the development of its polymer-based flex sensor technology, which combines IDEX and its recently acquired PicoField technology, and offers benefits in high-flexibility of form factor, higher performance-to-cost ratio and disruptive cost compared with all silicon sensor solutions.
“We are extremely pleased to disclose our partnership with CrucialTec and excited with our near-term plans to commercialize high-performance touch sensor solutions to address significantly increased customer interest and rapid market adoption of fingerprint sensors,” said Dr. Hemant Mardia, CEO of IDEX. “This collaboration brings forward the first touch fingerprint sensor solution into the mobile market from IDEX, addressing strong market pull. The combination of IDEX’s advanced, best in class, patented sensor technology and CrucialTec’s patent-protected packaging technology, proven high-volume production capability and tremendous reach and relationships with major OEMs represents a powerful value proposition for the mobile market.”
IDEX is one of only a few companies with a rich patent-protected portfolio of intellectual property in fingerprint sensor technology. IDEX is focused on addressing the fast-emerging mass market in mobility, Internet access devices and other application areas. The company’s core patents and Apple cross-license protection for low-cost sensors have positioned IDEX at forefront for the future of mass-market biometrics.
21 February 2014
IDEX ASA
IDEX contacts
Hemant Mardia, CEO, +44 7788 922 171, hm(at)idexbiometrics.com
Kristian Wiermyhr, VP strategy and sales, +47 4127 3360, kw(at)idexbiometrics.com
About IDEX
IDEX ASA specialises in fingerprint imaging and recognition technology. IDEX’s vision is to ensure individuals a safe, secure, and user-friendly use of personal ID. IDEX has developed the award-winning SmartFinger technology platform based on the Company’s core intellectual property, including the patented fingerprint imaging principle, sensing scheme and chip design. Combined with core software solutions for imaging and authentication, the SmartFinger technology enables on-device enrollment, template storage and verification within the very same module. SmartFinger solutions can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of embedded applications such as mobile phones, one-time password devices, Smartcards, payment and ID cards, payment terminals, access control devices and biometric security and login tokens.
IDEX ASA (ticker IDEX) is a Norwegian public company listed at the Oslo Axess marketplace on the Oslo Børs (Oslo stock exchange). For more information, please visit www.idexbiometrics.com or contact IDEX at mailbox@idexbiometrics.com .
About CrucialTec
CrucialTec Corp. focuses on providing integrated input solutions to mobile customers. Since 2006, CrucialTec has supplied more than 300 million Optical TrackPads to top-tier mobile handset makers and now concentrates on next generation Biometric Track Pads (BTP) which add fingerprint authentication solution to existing navigation features. BTP has been appreciated by many customers of Korean, Japanese and Chinese handset makers today, and upcoming devices from many other global players will have this feature as well. http://www.crucialtec.com
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