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Future Cell Phone Knows You By Your Walk

Posted by Zonk on from the i-want-my-gun-to-know-me-better dept.

jangobongo writes "Researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have come up with a unique way to secure your cell phone if it should get lost or stolen: 'Gait code'. Motion sensors in the phone would monitor the walking pattern (or gait) of whoever is in possession of the phone, and if the 'gait' doesn't match a pre-established biometric the phone would require a password to operate. The prototype cell phone correctly identified when it was being carried by someone other than its owner 98% of the time. The research team points out (powerpoint document) that this method could also work for PDAs, laptops, USB tokens, smart cards, wallets, suitcases, and guns."

3 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. you won't see this by pumpumpum · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The device is not useful. I don't understand why make such a fuss about it, because it doesn't work if you change shoes, get drunk or do anything that makes you walk diffrently than before. Seems that there is no cure for this, without breaking the usability of device.

  2. Broken Foot by Kaduco · · Score: 0, Redundant

    My martial arts teacher just broke his foot. His gait altered significantly. What's the backup to the gait detection? A password? Another biometric? Lockout if you fail? Or do you have to call up the cell phone company and give them more personal information?

  3. I don't get it... by mwilli · · Score: 0, Redundant

    What is the usefullness of this? I don't want to have to get up and walk around everytime I want to use my cell phone or laptop. Do you have to be walking to use the phone or just to authenticate to it?

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