James Bond Gadgets for Truckers

I'll take my diesel shaken, not stirred! New advances in the field of biometrics are bringing James Bond style gadgets to the trucking industry. When you hear about some of the technology in development, you'd think Q was back in the lab tinkering away. Personally, I can't wait. I wonder if the new technology comes with a Bond girl? (Well, I can dream, can't I?)

Here are some of the things the lab boys are working on:

• Fingerprint scans to open cab doors and start truck engines.
• Retina scans to open gates at warehouses, ports and other secure sites.
• Voice recognition to unlock trailers.

Privaris, a biometrics hardware and software supply company, is already marketing advanced ID scanning equipment. Their Plus ID system allowsdrivers to swipe a finger over a special key fob. If the fingerprint matches the one stored on the fob, a wireless signal is transmitted to the security gate control system which validates the driver's access rights and the gate swings open. No more stopping and waiting while security guards check your ID. The system is being tested at a military base and several ports have made inquiries.