Following QR codes, chips and face payment, WeChat has released another payment method which is palm payment.
WeChat had earlier registered a number of technical patents related to palm payment, and now this technology has finally come to reality.
Palm Payment, according to WeChat’s introduction, employs a “palmprint and palm vein” identification system that can suit users’ expectations for non-contact, high-convenience, and high-security payment methods.
They say palm payment has managed to overcome the problems caused by different amounts of available light, as well as the physiological differences between young and old palm prints.
It also has the ability to recognize the different hand-stretching behaviours of different users instantly.
To make it work, users only have to place their palm over the payment device’s scanning area without touching it, press confirm, and then finish the transaction.
Different from fingerprint recognition, which reads the epidermal lines of the finger pulp, palm prints read the palm and cardiovascular lines, which can further help avoid forgery.
The user does not need to use a mobile phone during the entire palmprint recognition process and can complete the operation process even without a mobile phone.
Local media reported that the Beijing Rail Transit Daxing Airport Line’s palm-swipe ride service is officially launched as the first project.
When taking the subway, passengers need to find the palm-swipe gate with the ring logo and face the identification area inside the ring with the palm of their hand.
After the identification is completed, the circle turns green, and the gate will open automatically.
After swiping the palm out of the station, the phone will receive a push notification of deduction of any fee.
WeChat earlier stated in the WeChat public class that the WeChat palm payment system is being gradually used in various areas, including office space, campuses, fitness centres, retail, and catering.
They said it can be used in other scenarios, such as daily shopping payments, company punch cards, access control recognition, and public transportation card swiping.
It has also been set up not to affect travel when the mobile phone is out of battery, or the user forgets to bring their card.