Polish bank PKO BP has partnered with the Gdańsk University of Technology in northern Poland and Microsystem to develop a biometric ID authentication system for customers that will boost security and the overall customer experience.
 
The multi-modal biometric system, which will mark the first of its kind in Poland, will use data from the customer's cardiovascular system, face shape, voice recognition and their signature. The system will replace the current PIN and password system to access services.
 
"The approach is multimodal, with the central element being the biometric pen, but also a camera, cardiovascular finger scanner and microphones," said professor Andrzej Czyżewski from the Polytechnic of Gdańsk. "If we include all four modalities then we can be sure that the bank clerk is actually with the right client."
 
The project is still in its early development stages and not yet up and running, according to Witold Sudomir, PKO BP's director responsible for the project. PKO BP, Gdańsk University of Technology and Microsystem are currently conducting research on over 10,000 customers and 60 bank outlets, and is expected to begin trialing the system in 2016.  The biometric authentication project has a budget of PLN 9.82 million (USD $2.65 million), with the National Research and Development Centre (NCBiR) subsidizing PLN 3.63 million (USD $980,000) of the total amount.