Atmel and TazTag collaborate on NFC wallet

The smart card chip manufacturer and the French start-up are working together to bring to market the TazCard, a 6mm thick card-sized smart object with a touch screen, fingerprint sensor and NFC, USB and ZigBee interfaces that could be used for access control, ticketing, couponing and payment applications.

<b>TAZCARD:</b> TazTag's multi-function NFC wallet is to be secured with an Atmel security module
TAZCARD: TazTag's multi-function NFC wallet is to be secured with an Atmel security module

Atmel and TazTag have announced they are collaborating on the development of all-in-one contactless solutions to store and protect personal data. As a first step, TazTag is using the Atmel AT98SC016CU turnkey security module in its TazCard, a secure multi-function NFC wallet the size of a thick bank card that incorporates a touch screen, fingerprint sensor and NFC, USB and ZigBee communications interfaces.

First announced at the CES show in January, the TazCard has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications including access control, ticketing, couponing and payment. A Java Software Development Kit is available for developers interested in exploring the possibilities.

“The choice of an Atmel security module became obvious when we decided to secure our nomad contactless smart object,” says Eric Fouchard, CEO of TazTag. “The cooperation between a fingerprint sensor and the AT98SC016CU safely protects the access to personal data and the applications in the TazCard.”

“Our AT98SC turnkey security solutions are the right choice when it comes to securing portable compact devices with energy constraints,” added Olivier Debelleix, Atmel’s marketing manager for embedded security. “We are excited to bring our security expertise to this original and modern communicating application.”

Atmel also offers a Single Wire Protocol-compatible chip, the AT91SC464384RCU, for NFC SIMs.

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