Genesis Luxury Car Goes Electric and Biometric

Genesis is going electric and biometric with its latest luxury sports car.

(PRNewsfoto/Genesis Motor America)

The Hyundai division has announced the Essentia Concept, its first all-electric vehicle. While it isn’t the first electric car aimed at the consumer market, it’s notable for bringing the renewable technology to a real sports car concept, with the Essentia sporting a sleek, low-to-the-ground, two-door design.

The car is also notable for its incorporation of biometric technology. In a statement announcing the vehicle, Genesis asserted that a sensor mounted in the car’s B-pillar (window support just behind the driver’s head) “integrates fingerprint controls and biometric facial recognition for opening and closing doors,” suggesting that the car’s doors will open automatically for registered users.

It’s an approach that is being taken by multiple firms as car makers increasingly collaborate with IT and biometrics specialists to bring advanced features to their vehicles. Biometric technology in particular is being leveraged to identify drivers, personalize in-car settings, and even to improve car safety by monitoring driver fatigue.

Other sophisticated features of the Essentia include speech recognition allowing for “full vehicle control through voice command,” according to a statement announcing the vehicle; an in-car mobile payments system; and interconnectivity with smart home devices, among other features. The car will be demonstrated at this year’s New York International Auto Show, which begins March 30th and runs until April 8th.