OpenSys Technologies has introduced a prototype payment system called PalmWav that explores palm-recognition technology as a device-free payment method in Malaysia. The system is designed to operate within the countryβs established payment infrastructure, including interoperability with PayNetβs MyDebit network, with Tencent Cloud providing the expertise on the biometrics side of the system.
PalmWav Palm-Based Payment System

The prototype allows transactions to be completed by scanning a userβs palm above a PalmWav reader, negating the use of specific devices like cards or smartphones on the userβs end. Each userβs palm is created as a unique βpalm signatureβ which is encrypted, and the authentication is done βwithin secondsβ. User can enroll their palm signature through the PalmWav mobile application or by doing so at participating merchants, after which transactions can be completed using the palm-recognition reader.
According to OpenSys, palm-based payments can further cut down on checkout times, useful during busy periods; itβs also a fully hands-free method that avoids physical contact altogether, which in the event of a major pandemic like Covid-19 helps minimize contact and the chance of pathogen spread. On the technical side, it can be immediately integrated into existing point-of-sale infrastructure for loyalty and reward programs, and itβs also scalable to millions of users, with multiple payment schemes.
To ensure data validity and safety, PalmWav integrates measures including end-to-end encryption, payment tokenization, and real-time fraud monitoring, to ensure secure processing across all stages of the transaction. Moving forward, the company says it will continue studying palm-recognition payments across different sectors to assess their suitability for broader future deployment.
Pokdepinion: People will always bring smartphones for reasons other than payments alone, so I am a bit skeptical on whether this can truly replace existing payment methods.
