Biometrics means world without passwords

Biometrics researchers hope their work will bring about a world without passwords, using iris and fingerprint scans, and facial and voice recognition.

Researchers are aiming for their work to lead to biometrics technology replacing passwords one day. (AAP)

You may never need to memorise another password. That's the goal of researchers at Purdue University's International Center for Biometrics Research.

Stephen Elliott is the director of international biometric research at Purdue University in Indiana. He says iris and fingerprint scans as well as facial and voice recognition are just a few of the tools that improve security while making lives easier.

His basement lab is a place where emerging biometric technologies are tested for weaknesses before they can go mainstream.

Biometrics is already in use at one local restaurant. Chris Smith, assistant manager of KFC in West Lafayette, Indiana, says workers punch in by putting their finger on a fingerprint scanner attached to their cash register.

The new iPhone 5S also uses fingerprint identification for security.