About Synolo™
Synolo™ Biometrics was created to commercialize the infant biometrics collection technology developed at UC San Diego with funding from the Gates Foundation. This technology was clinically proven in a large joint study performed in major hospital in Mexico, utilizing prototype devices and offline image processing.
In just one year, Synolo has transformed the original "Panda" prototype into a fully commercialized unit with proprietary, real-time, high resolution image processing, ergonomic design, and user friendly AFIS system that is already deployed in the field in the CITeR/NSF study of infant and youth biometrics in New York.
Synolo™ Neo Device
The only clinically proven biometrics device for collecting newborn and infant fingerprints.
The technology embodied in the Synolo™ Neo device and associated software is protected worldwide by the broad patent portfolio generated by UCSD and independently by Synolo.
Synolo™ Services
Synolo™ offers a full suite of services to assist systems integrators, OEMs, NGOs and government agencies in customizing and implementing the Synolo™ Neo device and software for specific applications and markets.
* Trial/Rollout project planning
* Deployment support and training
* OEM systems integration support
* AI-based data and image analytics
* Synolo™ Neo device customization
* Synolo™ SDK customization and integration
* Synolo™ AFIS software customization
Contact us to see how we can help you successfully implement infant and child biometrics into your ID systems.
Our History
Synolo™ Biometrics was created out of the Gates Foundation need to capture the identification of newborns and infants for the purpose of tracking administration of vital health care services. The resulting technology embodied in the Synolo™ Neo has also been shown to be useful in identification, border control, and human trafficking.
For the first time, it is possible to capture fingerprints from newborns and infants, which has previously believed to be impossible. And the same system can also capture fingerprints of all ages through adulthood.
2017
Gates Foundation Grant
A $3M grant provided to UC San Diego started it all. The Gates Foundation approached Dr. Eliah Aronoff-Spencer to lead a project to determine if - and how - newborns and infants could be identified for vaccine delivery using biometrics.
2019
UCSD/Gates POC Study
The resulting pilot study led by UCSD's team validated that a new, non-contact, high resolution fingerprint device (the "Panda") combined with novel image processing algorithms, could successfully identify 500 newborns and infants in a hospital setting.
2021
Synolo™ Biometrics Formed
Synolo™ Biometrics was formed by key members of the UCSD team and seasoned entrepreneurs to commercialize the technology. Funding was provided by BioPacific Investors angel group.
2022
Synolo™ Neo Launched
> Improved ergonomics and usability
> Real-time vs. offline image processing
> Interchangeable aperture thumbwheels
> Optimized imaging technology with proprietary age-adaptive algorithms
> Simplified manufacturing and assembly
2022
CITeR/NSF Study Launched
> POC study at NY hospitals, clinics and schools
> ~300 infants/youth covering birth to 15 years old
> One year study with potential for multi-year extension
2023
NEC Announces Collaboration
> NEC, a major global company with 110,000 employees and operations in 50 countries, announced a POC study using Synolo™ Neo
> Short term study (1-2 months) to be conducted at a major hospital in South America
> Collect fingerprints ~500 infants at birth and verify on discharge
Papers
Nature Scientific Reports
Title: Biometric recognition of newborns
and young children for vaccinations
and health care: a non‑randomized
prospective clinical trial
This peer reviewed article explores in greater detail the results from the joint UCSD/Gates study performed in Mexico in 2019. It confirms the feasibility of using the technology utilized in the Synolo™ Neo for the verification and identification of newborns and young children in the hospital during immunizations or ambulatory care.
"This technique
closes a vital gap in the biometric toolkit and presents a step toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 calling for the identity for
all people worldwide, including
birth registration, by 2030."
Below are a few key statistics and tables and charts from the paper. To read the full paper, click here.
494
Total
Subjects
297
Newborns
Enrolled
87%
TAR Newborns
98%
TAR
4+ days
Age Normalization of Fingerprints
The biometric device and example imagery used in this study. (A) the device in use, (B) time-course images of a single subject’s finger, (C) binarized prints finger images.
True Accept Rate
TAR for the two enrollment ages and different finger fusions at the 0.1% FMR for 1, 2, 4, and 10 finger-fusion
Gates Open Research
Title: Biometric recognition of newborns and young children by non-contact fingerprinting: lessons learned
This peer reviewed paper was published at the conclusion of the joint UCSD/Gates study held in Mexico. It examines the issues associated with collecting infant and newborn fingerprints and explorers potential ways to overcome those issues.
"The goal was to design a dedicated, handheld device with
features that reduce the impact of infant-related failure modes
in order to obtain reproducible, high contrast fingerprint images."
Below are a few tables and charts from the paper. To read the full paper, click here.
Image Processing Pipeline
This figure shows an overview of the proprietary process by which the raw high resolution image is age adjusted, optimized, and transformed to a standard 500 ppi template.
Selectable Apertures
Prototype design with selectable apertures to accommodate size variations on a single hand or as children grow.
Press & Presentations
Media coverage of Synolo™ Biometrics and presentations given by key team members across the globe.
Uniqueness of fingerprints from birth explained in academic study
February 14, 2023
“Glover et al provide the missing link in our understanding of the timing and drivers of human fingerprint development,” writes Dr. Aronoff-Spencer.
Clinical research shows infant fingerprint biometrics nearing real-world effectiveness
Jan 3, 2023
Confirming the identity of newborns in healthcare settings with biometrics may be within reach with current technology, according to a new academic research paper published by the U.S National Library of Medicine.
Fingerprint Capture Challenge in Newborns and Children, Lessons Learned
November 17, 2022
Presentation given by Dr. Steve Saggese, Synolo's CTO and co-founder, at the Smarter Cities & Digital ID Forum 2022, held virtually, and supported by NEC.
NEC, researchers collaborate on infant fingerprint biometrics scanner commercialization
Nov 1, 2022
The developer of a device for capturing infants’ fingerprint biometrics is working towards commercialization as one of its co-founders prepares to present its technology at an event this month focused on Latin America.
KidPrint - Identity for Everyone
June 19, 2019
Presentation given by Dr. Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, Synolo's co-founder and inventor of the Synolo Neo, at the ID4Africa 2019 conference in Johannesburg South Africa.
UC San Diego researchers unveil non-touch optical technology for infant fingerprinting
Sep 13, 2018
University of California San Diego researchers have unveiled their non-touch optical capture device for newborn fingerprinting, which they say can capture fingerprints from the day of birth.
Potential breakthrough in infant biometrics heads for trial in Kenya after ID4Africa appeal
Jun 28, 2018
A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego’s Qualcomm Institute has experience in global development projects, including in Africa, and identity expertise in addition to health technology development specifically for resource-limited and remote settings.
Synolo™ Team
Executive Management
Seasoned scientists, physicians, engineers and entrepreneurs are leading Synolo™ to success. (Click on pictures for the LinkedIn profile.)
Rob Lewis
Chairman & Co-founder
Over 30 years of experience in medtech and diagnostics industry as founder, executive, board member and investor; formerly President/COO of Berkeley Heartlab (acquired by Quest Labs)
Greg Scott
CEO & Co-founder
Over 25 years as executive, advisor and investor in life science; founder/CEO of ChinaBio Group in Shanghai, and co-founder/chair of BioPacific Investors; led numerous funding and acquisition transactions; early career with PwC and EY/Capgemini
Steve Saggese, PhD
CTO & Co-founder
25+ years research, design, and development of optical imaging, sensor and laser systems for medical, military and commercial applications; co-founder Ion Biometrics (predecessor company); previously Principal Scientist and Chief Engineer for various imaging companies
Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, MD, PhD
Co-founder & Neo Inventor
Asst. Professor of Infectious Disease and Global Health, UCSD School of Medicine and Qualcomm Institute, and Director of the Design Lab Center for Health; co-founder of Ion Biometrics; inventor of Synolo™ Neo
Contact Synolo™
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