Metalenz is an optics company spun out of Harvard Labs, and it is backed by the likes of Intel and SDK.

3D face biometric system from Metalenz uses Samsung's ISOCELL Vizion 931 sensor

Metalenz, a company that designs and develops optical systems for consumer electronics, automotive, and IoT applications, has announced its first full system 3D face biometric system called Polar ID. This system uses Samsung's ISOCELL Vizion 931 sensor as a light engine for its revolutionary polarization-sorting imaging system. Metalenz has been making imaging and sensing solutions, which are already used in several smartphones. Now, the company has created its full-system 3D face scanning, recognition, and unlock system that can be used in various devices, including smartphones and tablets.

The optics firm claims that Polar ID is the “world’s only consumer-grade imaging system that can sense the full polarization state of light.” It means it can work with a single image, while other 3D face unlock systems need multiple images to work. This new system makes the whole process faster and more accurate. The company claims that Polar ID is 50% more cost-effective and smaller than traditional face unlock solutions.

Metalenz said that its partnership with Samsung for the ISOCELL Vizion 931 sensor and its mass production capability allows for faster adoption of the Polar ID biometric system in smartphones. This system offers 3D face recognition and biometrics in the near-infrared spectrum with industry-leading quantum efficiency and advanced global shutter technology.

Several smartphone brands are testing Polar ID system

The Polar ID system is being showcased at MWC 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Visitors at MWC would be able to experience the compact footprint, security, speed, and affordability of Polar ID on a smartphone reference design that uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Apparently, several smartphone brands are evaluating Polar ID, and additional evaluation kits will be available in the second quarter of this year. We can expect to see it used in smartphones in the second half of this year or next year.

This new system can be used in smartphones, AR/VR/MR devices, tablets, laptops, and more.

CY Lee, Vice President of the Sensor Sales & Marketing Team at Samsung Electronics, said, “Our collaboration with Metalenz is not just about combining technologies; it marks a pivotal advancement in biometric imaging capabilities, making face unlock solutions with enhanced security and affordability accessible on a global scale. We are energized to collaborate with Metalenz, a company that shares our commitment to bringing visionary solutions to market.”