Biometrics, forefront of new Unisys R&D Centre

Located at the University of Canberra, IT services company, Unisys, unveiled the centre, which is in partnership with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the University.

According to Andrew Barkla, vice president and general manager at Unisys APAC, the centre is purpose built to embrace technology that addresses peoples’ concerns about creating greater safety.

“The centre is about bringing together the best minds from the private sector with the best minds from the University of Canberra and DIAC. The outcome will be better security for Australia,” said Barkla.

Currently, the centre is demonstrating seven biometric technologies developed by or in collaboration with local and overseas partners.

Such as Australia’s Alacrity Technologies' CLEW (Closed Loop Environment for Wireless) which claims to secure financial transactions conducted through mobile devices.

Adrian Tatham CEO of Alacrity Technologies said the centre is extremely beneficial as it helps provide a broader reach for potential customers.

“We’re trying to make it clear that the tool is here and with the work of partners we can reach broader mainly blue chip clients. They [Unisys] are working with us actively to get it out to financial organisations here,” said Tatham.

“We believe they are showcasing best of breed technologies, they contacted us and invited us to jump on board,” added Tatham.

Additionally, the centre is demonstrating technologies such as vascular recognition vein capturing technology; facial and voice recognition technologies, and Registered Traveller System – a technology which captures a person’s two irises, all 10 fingerprints and takes an image of the individual’s face - currently used in a number of United States airports.

“Security is the biggest issue of this decade and for any organisation to maintain the confidence of its customers, it needs to stay abreast of the latest security trends from around the world,” said Barkla.

Unisys were unable to disclose the launch costs of the centre, according to a company spokesperson.