Biofire's new Smart Gun uses biometrics as a safety mechanism

[Jimmy2x]

Why it matters: A firearms startup released its take on biometric-based weapon safety, the Biofire Smart Gun. The weapon uses pre-programmed biometric data to recognize users, ensuring only those identified by the owner can operate it. The product prevents tragic scenarios and accidental discharges involving children, criminals, or other unintended users.

Colorado-based safety and technology firm Biofire claims its Smart Gun is always in a "locked" state, preventing unauthorized use once it leaves an identified user's hands while functioning identically to a regular 9mm Luger for authorized users. Once added to the weapon's user list, the gun's Guardian Biometric Engine instantly identifies users with integrated fingerprint and 3d facial recognition, preventing unauthorized use. The Guardian Biometric Engine can recognize up to five users.

Welcome to the future of firearm safety. Watch the Biofire Smart Gun only work for its authorized user- safeguarding owners from potential unauthorized use.

Personalize your Smart Gun now: https://t.co/L1TP5ZE45H#smartgun #security #unlockBiofire #FutureTech #FirearmSafety pic.twitter.com/g8kt4ywX0Y

– Biofire (@BiofireUSA) April 21, 2023

Smart gun detractors have often pushed back against such safety technologies, claiming that the additional security measures can decrease the weapon's potential reliability when it counts. Those detractors may not necessarily be wrong despite Biofire's successful release. Biofire's prototype failed to fire twice during a live demonstration to Reuters, prompting reliability concerns. Founder Kai Kloepfer assured observers that designers had thoroughly tested the biometrics system and the failures were due to mechanical issues, not the biometric safety system.

The technology may seem like something from a sci-fi or spy movie. However, using biometrics and similar user-identification mechanisms to secure weapon functionality is anything but new.

The Armatix iP1, introduced in the mid-2010s, employed an RFID-based safety mechanism that would only allow the weapon to function for users wearing the system's accompanying RFID watch. The manufacturer advertised it as one of the most secure firearm systems available.

Unfortunately, hackers cracked the iP1's security, proving the system insecure shortly after launch. Several other companies have since entered the race to bring a secure, functional smart weapon system to the U.S. market, but none had been successful before Biofire's successful release.

Biofire began accepting orders, allowing potential owners to build and configure their Smart Gun package. Buyers can choose from one of three models: the $2,999 Founder's Edition, the $1,899 Launch Edition, or the $1,499 base Smart Gun. Each model offers unique customizations, including color choices for the primary polymer, trigger, and magazine release, the ability to configure for left- or right-handed shooters, and even the ability to create a custom serial number.

Biofire's build page says Founders Edition models are sold out and should ship by the 4th quarter of 2023. The other models are available and will begin shipping in early 2024.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/98410-biofire-new-smart-gun-uses-biometrics-safety-mechanism.html

 

[Guillermo Belli]

Facial recognition? So you have to stare at the gun prior to using it?

I wonder how does the fingerprint sensor work under non-ideal conditions, like dirty, sweaty or moist hands.

 

[psycros]

Facial recognition? So you have to stare at the gun prior to using it?

I wonder how does the fingerprint sensor work under non-ideal conditions, like dirty, sweaty or moist hands.

Sweat doesn't affect it much but grime does. More importantly, fingerprint systems in general aren't that reliable - most fail to recognize an authorized user around 20% of the time. That's completely unacceptable for anything involving firearms. What I don't get is why Biofire didn't use a far more reliable IR blood vessel sensor that's functionally the same but much more dependable.

 

[toooooot]

I would much prefer this over traditional safety on guns.
If you need to use a gun urgently, biometric unlock is like 1000 times better because you wont forget to unlock it.

 

[DSirius]

It seems that this Biofire firm tries to reinvent the wheel.
Soon, a new kind of hacker will rise, the biometric guns hacker.
And in the future gun battles, will win those with the best gun hacker.

 

[ZackL04]

As a safely this is not necissary

But as a gun safe/lock, I dig it. That table top unit is cool but would need a battery backup too

I use a small biometric case under my bed. Works well enough, but I need to keep tabs on its battery

 

[Lionvibez]

Nice

"$2,999 Founder's Edition"

Where can I get an Asus version with RGB

 

[RudyBob]

Sure put it in a safe, lock it and keep it unloaded. Why? I keep my guns at the ready. By the back door, in the bed room, in the computer room, etc. There is no time to fool with a firearm when and if you need it. What's more I shoot them routinely so I don't forget how. I own three handguns, two shotguns an M1 Carbine and a cowboy Winchester. Shooting is great expensive fun. I don't hunt but don't begrudge those that do. I do laugh at all the folk pictured holding up animals that they have shot though.

 

[Uncle Al]

As one that is getting older, lives by myself and have not been successful in getting the cats to shout "freeze or I'll pump you full of lead" I have made sure I have an easily reachable gun in several critical places. Never had to use a gun after the Army but it's saved my life on two occasions so I'm not changing my ways .....

 

[Watzupken]

This is silly. I get the point that they are trying to prevent people from snatching or unauthorised use of a firearm. But there are multiple issues here,
1. What if recognition feature fails, for example, no power? You need electronics to support such function, and they are not the most reliable,
2. If say a law enforcement officer lost his fire arm for whatever reasons, he/she will have no weapons since they are only authorised to use specific firearm.
So while this prevents edge cases of unauthorised firearm usage, it increases the risk of the user and leave them defenceless if it fails.

 

[kiwigraeme]

Not yet there
The Weapon Shops of Isher

A.E. van Vogt

 

[Neatfeatguy]

Could you imagine a John Wick movie where everyone had these types of guns.....

I guess there'd be more of the, "I once saw him kill three men in a bar... with a pencil, with a f---ing pencil." scenes.

 

[3volv3d]

I would much prefer this over traditional safety on guns.
If you need to use a gun urgently, biometric unlock is like 1000 times better because you wont forget to unlock it.

I would prefer them, because less guns will unlock on the first attempt... chances to live increase, run Forest...

It seems that this Biofire firm tries to reinvent the wheel.
Soon, a new kind of hacker will rise, the biometric guns hacker.
And in the future gun battles, will win those with the best gun hacker.

If AI / deepfake is that good, im sure there will be work arounds, eventually.

I heard the facial recognition camera is in the barrel, and as you look down it, you have to have no glasses, dont smile, no scarves. Its very much like a passport photo. Then just squeeze the trigger to take the verification photo...

 

[Nobina]

I don't see this being more convenient than a safety lock. This is one of those companies that throw **** at a wall to see if it sticks. Guns and safety don't go hand in hand.

 

[waclark]

Sure put it in a safe, lock it and keep it unloaded. Why? I keep my guns at the ready. By the back door, in the bed room, in the computer room, etc. There is no time to fool with a firearm when and if you need it. What's more I shoot them routinely so I don't forget how. I own three handguns, two shotguns an M1 Carbine and a cowboy Winchester. Shooting is great expensive fun. I don't hunt but don't begrudge those that do. I do laugh at all the folk pictured holding up animals that they have shot though.

You sound like me. I have a firearm ready to go where I can get at it quickly. I don't have kids in the house anymore and if we have guest over with kids, I'll secure the firearm. I also don't hunt but don't have any issues with it, except maybe some of the "big game" hunters. I do applaud companies finding ways to make guns safer from unauthorized use or accidental discharge. I'm not so sure I want bio or face recognition on my home defense guns though. Will it recognize my face in the dark? And if it's no better than my iPhone at fingerprint recognition, I'll be dead trying to get my gun or trying to dial 911.

 

[RudyBob]

. I also don't hunt but don't have any issues with it, except maybe some of the "big game" hunters.

Yes, I forgot about those weirdos

 

[RandomWAN]

I would much prefer this over traditional safety on guns.
If you need to use a gun urgently, biometric unlock is like 1000 times better because you wont forget to unlock it.

If you're "forgetting" your safety, you're neglecting your training.

I don't see this being more convenient than a safety lock. This is one of those companies that throw **** at a wall to see if it sticks. Guns and safety don't go hand in hand.

Guns and safety do go hand in hand if you're being smart and responsible. The *****s doing stupid things with firearms on social media are what get all the normie attention though, even though they're a miniscule percentage of people handling firearms.

Just another bunch of fools trying to add "safeties" to safety equipment. Just more complexity that can cause additional malfunctions in addition to potential malfunctions that comes with any firearm.

No mention of the base/model of pistol it's built around, so no idea on the mechanical reliability for a firearm you're expecting to trust your life to on top of expecting it to unlock when you need it (already mentioned to failure to fires on what is likely an already broken in gun). On top of that, you have iron sights on what is supposed to be a futuristic gun instead of provisions for an RDS (physiologically superior to iron sights). There's no provisions for a weapon-mounted light and it has giant profile due to the biometric hardware which can easily be replaced with keeping your weapon on you or secured in a safe.

They claim it unlocks "really fast" on their website, but the video is roughly 2 seconds from hand-on-gun to shooting which is a lifetime when you're the one reacting to a potential threat. You can't tell in the video how quickly it actually unlocks, but I'm guessing it takes a least a second before you get that green light and that's after getting the just-right grip.

At the end of the day, they're charging high-end gun prices for a plain-Jane 9mm that has less functionality than something I can get for $500-900. Likely this company will go defunct like many of these others that have chosen this route and then people will be left with an overpriced paperweight once parts start failing.

 

[Nobina]

Guns and safety do go hand in hand if you're being smart and responsible. The *****s doing stupid things with firearms on social media are what get all the normie attention though, even though they're a miniscule

So, having a bunch of safety features won't really help an irresponsible person, that's where all of these gadgets fail, these people will go out of their way to disable any kind of safety features and commit dumb ****.

 

[ArmyofKirb]

This is my safety:

 

[RandomWAN]

This is my safety:

Safety on a long gun makes sense as it is hanging on your body and potentially can catch on a variety of things including your clothes. A safety on a pistol isn't a necessity with modern holsters that are properly designed to retain the weapon and cover the trigger.