you may change your face with plastic surgery or even burn off your fingerprint , but you ’ll struggle to avoid identification when theUS militarybegins deploying its a la mode surveillance gadget . According toMIT Technology Review , a optical maser has been developed for the Pentagon that can take people ’s uniqueheartbeatsignatures , after it was requested by US Special Forces . Code - named Jetson , the machine is still in the prototype stage but is already able to read heartbeats from around 200 meters ( 656 feet ) away , even through people ’s clothing . While other personal credential like faces , fingerprints , and iris are typically used for recognition , similarities between individuals mean that identification fault can occur . However , every individual has a entirely unique and decided heartbeat profile , making this a much more true biometric for pinpointing someone . Jetson use a proficiency called optical maser vibrometry to find the subtle modification in the manifestation of ultraviolet light as a person ’s skin and habiliment move with theirheartbeat . As such , it can be used to identify citizenry from a space and from any angle , which is more commodious than current methods that   need either a clear-cut view of a person ’s look or access to their fingers . Speaking toMIT , Steward Remaly of the Pentagon ’s Combatting Terrorism Technical Support Office said “ I do n’t desire to say you could do it from space … But longer range should be possible . ” He also claimed that the current prototype has an accuracy of about 95 percent . However , while military officials hope to one day use Jetson to identify insurgents from drones , a few technical outlet take to be ironed out before the technology can be deployed . At present , the laser consider around 30 mo to bring forth a reading material , meaning it can only be used on stationary subjects . Perhaps the sterling obstruction , though , lies in the fact that a database of cardiac signature will need to be created so that readings can be grouchy - cite and describe . If this new remote surveillance method ever becomes widely used , it will for certain be met with a number of concealment business organisation , considering the electric potential it invoke for spying on masses from a distance . On the plus side , there ’s no need to dip your finger in acid to invalidate recognition anymore .

[ H / T : MIT Technology Review ]