FB

Can you please provide our readers with a brief background of the company?

RT

Rehoboth Tech is a specialist in the biometrics security industry based on the unique iris recognition technology called Irikon. The company has been working on the development of an embedded iris authentication system using its own algorithm. Our challenge is to make the smallest iris authentication system combined with an affordable price.

We are an affiliate of the Rehoboth Group whose major activity is in overseas construction and natural resources development. Rehoboth Tech will expand its activity in biometrics together with its global partners.

FB

Can you review your Biometric product lineup?

RT

Our product lineup consists of three different iris authentication products - Irikon SDK module, Irikon USB flash memory and Irikon stand-alone door lock.

Irikon SDK module can be integrated into portable devices such as Notebook PCs, PDAs, USB flash memory, portable hard drives, automobile keys, cellular phones and portable ID identification devices.

Irikon USB flash memory is the world’s first USB flash memory implementing iris authentication and ensures that the confidential data in the flash memory is secured by the iris authentication process. No one other than the pre-registered user can access the data within the flash memory. Users do not need to recall passwords but simply gaze into the iris camera on the USB flash memory to activate.

Irikon stand-alone door lock is the world’s first embedded iris door lock system and designed for residential and small office environments. This door lock does not need to be connected with a computer or external electric power lines because it is operated by its own embedded microprocessor and powered by its internal AA batteries. So this door lock can be easily installed just like commercially-available digital door locks.

FB

What vertical markets do you focus on?

RT

With our unique iris technology of Irikon we can deploy our products and solutions in almost all the markets where fingerprint authentication technology is deployed. As you know, iris identification is the most accurate and fastest technology in biometrics but the problem was its higher price and bulky size. We solve these two problems and plan to deploy our iris technology in all markets.

At the moment we are focusing on SDK module and USB memory market but also looking for vertical market partners to enter into physical access, logical access, time & attendance, on-line transaction and the national defense market.

We are talking with one of the accredited certificate authorities in Korea to develop USB key for self-identification. During the on-line transaction our iris USB key provides double security for electronic certificates. This iris USB key consists of a very compact size iris camera and authentication board so that user can carry this key just like a small USB flash memory.

FB

You mentioned that Irikon embeds the iris technology in one small chip or module and does not need to be connected with servers or other computer devices. Can you please elaborate on this?

RT

The Irikon SDK module consists of a very small iris camera and an embedded iris authentication module. All the processing such as capturing the iris, registering or authenticating the templates and sending out execution commands can be done in this module. So this module does not need to be connected with any computer or server because it can store the registered templates in the module and perform the authentication by itself. The dimension of this module is only 47 mm x 25 mm and it is operated by 5V DC power so that it can be integrated into any independently-working devices such as portable memory, time & attendance, digital door lock, PDA or cellular phone. We will work on integrating this module into one small chip in future.

FB

As a global player, where are you seeing the greatest growth in the Iris biometric space?

RT

The biometric market is still a growing market so it is hard to predict which way the market will explode. One thing is clear, that this market will grow very fast for next 10 years. If you recall the speed of expansion of the worldwide internet service during past 10 years it is definitely beyond our imagination. The internet changed not only our culture but also our way of interaction among individuals, commercial entities and governments. The biggest problem with internet transaction is that the loss by fraud and misuse is increasing at the same speed as internet expansion. So self-identification is one of the most important topics related to internet transactions. It is proven that passwords alone cannot secure internet transactions at all. So electronic certificates or OTP (One Time Password) devices are deployed in e-commerce or on-line banking transactions. However, even these do not secure the transaction perfectly. So I see this market will inevitably implement biometrics in the near future. And then the question will be how much end users will be willing to pay for this security and how much iris biometrics will increase convenience in comparison with other security methods. We feel that iris authentication with small and inexpensive capturing devices will be perfect answer.

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