24 May 2005
A number of the globe's leading credit card suppliers are preparing to rollout new RFID-enabled cards that allow for contactless transactions.
The credit cards considerably improve speed and ease of use for all owners, according to the suppliers, but could also herald a major breakthrough in ease of credit card use for people with various impairments who otherwise encounter difficulties in paying with plastic.
The cards contain a radio frequency identification chip that transmits the user's credit information directly to the till when waved through a scanner, meaning that consumers needn't type in a pin code nor sign their name to receipts.
Molly Faust, spokesperson for American Express who is one of three banking giants certain to release the card, said that despite some teething problems experienced with similar technology in the past, designers were fully confident that the new cards will prove successful with all consumers.
"We see great promise in this type of technology," said Ms Faust. "It's a great new payment product."
In addition to American Express, Visa and MasterCard have also both confirmed they will roll out the new RFID-enabled cards later this year.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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