MeReal Biometrics Limited: Revolutionizing Authentication for Payments & Access Control with its patented, disruptive smart card

The evolving economy and technological advancements have transformed the way organizations function and conduct business. For the modern organization, there is a greater concern for the security of files, systems, transactions and the ability of technology to protect from unauthorized access. Having a plethora of devices that rely on passwords for authentication makes them susceptible to hacking and unauthorized access as human error is always a possibility. Also, with all the smartphones, tablets, cloud-based services and sensors continuously sending and receiving information, the risk of a breach is multiplied exponentially. This makes it obvious that the user authentication needs to be more sophisticated, and biometric security makes more sense in this picture as biometric authentication devices use unique traits or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, voice and iris recognition, to authenticate access to electronic assets.

One such company that ensures the identification of users becomes sophisticated and complex is MeReal Biometrics, a Hong Kong based private company dedicated to making the world a “Happy Place” with its biometric solutions. Patrick Partouche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of France’s leading casino and hotel operator, Groupe Partouche, invented a card that adds fingerprint technology and acoustic technology to traditional RFID/NFC access and payment cards in 2009. He approached Philippe Blot, a pioneer in powered cards, and together they developed their smart card, and realized they could change the world because it was revolutionary and genuinely disruptive. They wanted to promote it to the corporate world so that employees and consumers could benefit from the ease of use and privacy it offers. They also saw how meaningful it could be as a financial tool for the world’s 2 billion unbanked people. Therefore, MeReal Biometrics was set up in 2009 in France. The company was later moved to Hong Kong in 2015 to be closer to the markets they targeted for their roll-out.

A dynamic access, payments and authentication card to provide unparalleled security

MeReal Biometrics thought of developing one card that could not only perform payments but could also open doors and provide access to online documents or platforms. Its patented card can do this without having to type log-ins or passwords or tap pin codes in to readers and can be used in any industry where identity attached to payments and access is important. It can operate on any device including the world’s 9 billion telephone lines and wherever sound travels.

The company has added three key features to traditional payment and access cards that upgrade the current global smart card offering to an entirely new level: a fingerprint sensor, an acoustic (sound) signature, and a battery that can be recharged. This smart card carries the widely used contactless technologies like RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near-Field Communication) as well as contact EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa standard) technology for payments or PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). Moreover, it also matches the cardholder’s fingerprint stored inside the card using the sensor to access the secure element; then it emits a sound, an acoustic signature that has an encrypted one-time password or a payment signature. It simultaneously opens the card’s interfaces so that either the sound or the RFID / NFC signal can be picked up by a reader or software depending on the application.

Fingerprints are stored only on the card and not in a database. The battery power frees it from relying on a POS (Point of Sale) reader to charge it, like many other cards. Along with harvesting the technology inside the card, it can take power from any induction or contact charger but does not depend on it to function 24 hours a day, at any time and place.

Harnessing the power of biometrics

Its card is currently being rolled out in the Groupe Partouche casinos, the largest operators in France. The first Casino to use it is Casino Pleinair in La Ciotat in the South of France. The card is being used as an identity badge for all employees to gain access depending on their personalized privileges while their time and attendance is being monitored by software in the back office.

Testing of the cards is taking place at the entrances, slot machines, gaming tables, hotel room doors, cars and payment systems so that guests can have a loyalty card that performs many access and payment functions throughout the casinos and Groupe Partouche’s partner properties, and in other industries. Co-Founder Philippe Blot said, “We have NDA’s signed, and testing is underway with banks, e-wallets, hotels, telecom providers, casinos, systems integrators, cyber security businesses, governments, transport authorities, retailers, military organizations and NGOs.”

Vision to stay ahead

MeReal Biometrics faced criticism from many people and institutions who flatly refused to believe it could manufacture harvesting powered cards in the millions. Moreover, its potential partners were not able to see beyond the concept of an NFC card protected by a fingerprint sensor. But now, the company is pleased to meet people who realize that its card, along with NFC payment and sound protected by a fingerprint sensor, is a full disruptive model.

Get in touch: www.merealbiometrics.com

Let’s meet the leaders who made MeReal Biometrics Limited possible

Chairman Patrick Partouche: Patrick Partouche is the Chairman and Co-Founder of MeReal Biometrics Limited. He is also the Chairman of Groupe Partouche, France’s largest casino and hotel group, operating 43 casinos, hotels and restaurants in and around France. His pursuit for unrivaled security solutions led him to invent the MeReal Biometrics powered card. He invested in the initial R&D and global patents. Patrick’s business is headquartered in Paris, and he lives in Cannes.

Co-founder Philippe Blot: He is also the CEO and Chairman of UINT, the manufacturer of the MeReal Biometrics technology. He has had a long and successful history in theR&D of smart cards and security that is dedicated to ciphering technology. Philippe and his team of engineers are well-known leaders in the field of powered and audio cards, developing products for many applications in the fields of medicine, gaming, security and banking since 1999. He manages the roll-out of MeReal Biometrics card and is based in Hong Kong.

“Our card not only complies with NFC but also with the world’s 9 billion telephone lines.”