Smart Eye and FPC demonstrate multi-modal biometric authentication combining face and iris recognition
Smart Eye AB and Fingerprint Cards AB (FPC) have announced a new multi-modal biometric authentication capability that combines Smart Eye’s facial authentication with FPC’s iris recognition technology. By verifying identity using two independent biometric signals captured by the same camera, the functionality strengthens authentication while maintaining a natural and seamless user experience.
This new authentication capability builds on the collaboration announced in January 2025, when Smart Eye licensed FPC’s iris recognition technology. Since then, the companies have worked to integrate the technology with Smart Eye’s existing sensing capabilities, resulting in a combined approach that enables face and iris verification to operate together.
Using both modalities simultaneously significantly increases authentication robustness. Facial authentication alone can achieve an accuracy of approximately 1 in 10,000, while iris recognition can reach around 1 in 1,000,000. When combined in a multi-modal approach, the probability of a false match drops to approximately 1 in 1,000,000,000, improving resilience against spoofing and unauthorised access.
The system enables iris authentication at distances up to three meters, allowing users to be verified without stopping or interacting with a separate sensor. Running on a dedicated hardware configuration developed by Smart Eye, it also supports capabilities such as triangulation and continuous authentication, keeping identity verification active throughout an interaction rather than relying on a single authentication event.
The combined functionality can support a range of security-sensitive applications where identity verification must occur seamlessly during everyday interaction. Potential use cases include in-vehicle access control and personalisation, smart home environments, media interaction, cybersecurity, and other access-controlled environments. The technology is also well suited for high-security settings such as law enforcement, defence, and other critical workplaces where reliable identity verification is essential.
“This collaboration clearly demonstrates the strength and momentum of our partnership with Smart Eye,” said Adam Philpott, CEO of FPC. “By integrating our iris recognition technology with Smart Eye’s facial authentication, we can enable a multi-modal approach that combines ease of use with a significantly higher level of security. It also shows how our iris technology has matured into a scalable, product-ready solution that supports expansion into new use cases and markets, and long-term growth.”
“Our collaboration with FPC is now producing concrete results,” said Martin Krantz, CEO and Founder of Smart Eye. “By combining facial authentication with iris recognition, we can verify identity far more reliably than with a single biometric alone. This opens up new opportunities for our customers both within automotive and in other sectors where secure identity verification is becoming increasingly important.”
Smart Eye will demonstrate the combined face-and-iris authentication capability live in its booth during Auto China 2026, taking place in Beijing from April 24 to May 3.
FPC will be at RSA Conference, in San Francisco, from 23 to 26 March, showcasing this solution to partners and customers through dedicated meetings and demonstrations.
