I tested a new Tesla competitor that replaces a key with facial recognition and fingerprints, but I believe a regular key is better in 99% of cases.

I tested a new Tesla competitor that replaces a key with facial recognition and fingerprints, but I believe a regular key is better in 99% of cases.

The Genesis GV60: Unlocking the Future of Cars with Facial and Fingerprint Recognition

The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and one of the latest innovations comes in the form of the Genesis GV60, a new electric vehicle from Hyundai’s luxury brand. What sets this car apart is its cutting-edge feature: facial and fingerprint recognition. With this technology, you can forget about carrying around a key fob; the key is you.

Setting Up the Biometric Identification

The set-up process for the facial and fingerprint recognition system in the Genesis GV60 is surprisingly simple. It’s reminiscent of setting up a new smartphone. To get started, you need to have both key fobs provided and access the car’s settings through its touchscreen. From there, you can add your fingerprint to the user profile. The vehicle prompts you to place your finger on the circular sensor near the gear selector several times until the fingerprint has been successfully registered.

Adding your face to the system is even easier. You simply step out of the car and look at the camera located by the driver’s window. Within a few seconds, the GV60 confirms that the facial recognition has been set.

Driving with Biometric Identification

Driving around without the need for a physical key is a two-step process. First, you approach the vehicle and press the driver’s-side door handle while looking at the exterior camera. This action unlocks the car. Contrary to what you might expect, you don’t need to stoop down or get too close to the car for it to work efficiently. Simply standing up naturally is sufficient.

Once inside, pressing the fingerprint reader prompts a message to appear, indicating that the driver has been authenticated. This allows you to start the car. To lock the vehicle, you repeat the step of approaching the car and pressing the driver’s-side door handle.

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What surprised me the most was how flawlessly the entire system worked. It never failed to recognize my face or fingerprint. In certain situations, it even proved to be helpful. For example, when I needed to quickly grab something from the car before heading out, or when I had to reposition the GV60 in a friend’s driveway, it was convenient not to have to carry the key fob with me for the rest of the day. Confidence in the system grew to the point where I took the plunge and went for a drive without the key, and everything proceeded without a hitch.

Impression and Evaluation

While the facial and fingerprint recognition in the Genesis GV60 is undeniably cool and futuristic, I found myself questioning its practicality. As someone who is not particularly concerned about privacy and often clicks “accept all cookies” without hesitation, it’s not an issue of principle for me. Instead, I believe that using a regular key provides a more seamless and efficient user experience. With the key fob, you can instantly unlock the car, hop in, and drive away without even taking it out of your pocket.

In comparison, the biometric system introduces a few seconds of lag time for each step, which can feel unbearably long in our modern era of instant gratification. Genesis should be commended for their innovative approach, but for now, the traditional key provides a superior experience.

That being said, there are specific, rare situations where leaving the key at home and relying solely on facial and fingerprint recognition is desirable, such as going to the beach or on a bike ride. It allows you to travel lighter and reduces the risk of losing or damaging the key fob in such scenarios.

The Future of Facial and Fingerprint Recognition in the Auto Industry

Will facial and fingerprint recognition take over the automotive industry as it did with smartphones? I posed this question to Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific, an automotive market research firm. Kim believes that for biometric identification to truly gain traction, it needs to become quicker and more convenient for drivers.

According to Kim, “One of the general rules of product design is if you’re going to introduce a whole new way of operating something, it’s kind of got to be better in every regard. But I do think that as time goes on and as the technology gets better, which it inevitably will, it really could have potential.”

While the Genesis GV60’s facial and fingerprint recognition system is impressive and offers a glimpse into the future, it still has some hurdles to overcome before becoming a revolutionary feature in the automotive industry. As with any emerging technology, continuous innovation and refinement will likely lead to more seamless and user-friendly experiences. Only time will tell if facial and fingerprint recognition will become the norm for unlocking and driving cars, but the Genesis GV60 is certainly a step in that direction.

• Genesis
• tech
• Transportation