Apple ’ s Touch ID is fast and accurate - until your hand is even the slightest bit dirty or wet . 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 . The demo version ( pictured ) was covered in glass that measures 0.9mm thick , and Qualcomm did not reveal what the maximum thickness is . 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 . A prototype version of the sensor is on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona . When a finger is placed on the tiny sensor - the demo version has a 9mm by 4mm ‘ active area ’ - the software captures an image of the fingerprint instantly . Apple ’ s Touch ID ( pictured ) is fast and accurate - until your hand is even the slightest bit dirty or wet . 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 . Fujitsu has developed a ‘ custom compact and high-output infrared LED ’ , and a custom infrared camera . Movements of the smooth muscle of the iris make the eye ’ s openings larger or smaller , which in turn adjusts the amount of light that enters the retina . These were combined with Fujitsu ’ s camera controller technology and biometric-authentication technology . It identifies a person by scanning the pattern of their iris . The pattern doesn ’ t change significantly after the age of two , and it is difficult to injure its surface and difficult to forge . Movements of the smooth muscle of the iris make the eye ’ s openings larger or smaller , which in turn adjusts the amount of light that enters the retina . For its prototype , Fujitsu has built a miniature scanner so it fits on the front of a smartphone . It recognises the pattern by shining an infrared LED light on the sensor into the eyes and taking a picture of the pattern with the infrared camera . This pattern is registered and linked to the user . Each time they look at their phone , the sensor scans their eye , matches it with the stored image and unlocks the device . ‘ The system can reliably authenticate the detailed patterns of the iris and that can be used in most everyday situations , ’ a spokesman for Fujitsu told MaiOnline . ‘ This can be used at a normal smartphone viewing distance , rather than within the 10cm range most existing iris recognition systems require . ‘ And in safety testing , the infrared LED light was verified to be safe for the eyes . ’
Chip maker Qualcomm unveiled its Sense ID 3D fingerprint scanner . It is the first biometric sensor using ultrasonic technology . Qualcomm uses ultrasonic sound waves to capture the print 's ridges . This also captures sweat pores and more on the tip of a finger . Because it uses waves , can be used behind glass or even metal . This makes it more accurate and powerful than Apple ’ s Touch ID sensor .