The fingerprint scanner goes ULTRASONIC

But in the near future these scanners will not only work when your fingerprints are obscured, they will work behind layers of glass and metal.

Chip maker Qualcomm has unveiled its Sense ID 3D fingerprint scanner capable of capturing everything from ridges to sweat pores using ultrasonic technology.

A prototype version of the sensor is on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

This is stored and used to authenticate a user quickly, with little margin of error.

And because it uses waves that bounce off the surface of the finger it can be used behind materials such as glass or metal.

The demo version was covered in glass that measures 0.9mm thick, and Qualcomm did not reveal what the maximum thickness is.

The firm did say, though, that the technology makes it more accurate and powerful than capacitive sensors, like those seen on Apple and Samsung devices.

And this is the reason why it works even if the user has dirty hands, has recently applied hand lotion and other similar scenarios.

Phones running Sense ID are expected to launch later this year, but Qualcomm did not reveal to MailOnline which devices or manufacturers it is working with. 

(dailymail.co.uk)