The Pentagon Has a Laser That Can Identify You by Your Heartbeat

Your unique cardiac signature can be used to identify you.

The prototype can pick up on a unique cardiac signature from 200 meters away, and with the right laser the effective distance could be much farther

The new device, called Jetson, was developed for the Pentagon at the request of US Special Forces. The device uses an infrared laser and works at 200 meters, but longer distances will be possible with a better laser. 

Other remote cardiac sensors have been created, although they work at shorter distances and use radar.

The new device uses a laser that can measure vibrations and frequencies on a surface. It can detect subtle movements of a person, such as their heartbeat, to uniquely identify them.

The device can achieve over 95% accuracy under good conditions, and this might be further improved. 

On a positive note, aside from improving the capacity for mass surveillance, possibly even from space, the device has implications for the health industry, in that it could make medical monitoring less invasive.

 

 

Photo: “The Heartbeat Wave” by Shannon Yeh is licensed under CC BY 2.0