In a significant push for digital inclusion, IoT startup Proxgy has unveiled ThumbPay, an innovative biometric payment device designed to simplify transactions for everyone, especially those without access to smartphones. The device ingeniously combines the power of India’s Aadhaar digital identity system with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network.

How ThumbPay Revolutionizes Payments

ThumbPay allows a user to complete a bank-to-bank transfer merely by placing their thumb on the device’s scanner. This single action initiates a two-step process:

1. Identity Verification: The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) verifies the user’s identity using their biometric data (fingerprint).
2. Transaction Execution: Once authenticated, the transaction is processed instantly through UPI, debiting the user’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

This mechanism eliminates the need to carry a mobile phone, physical card, or wallet, streamlining the checkout process and making payments accessible outside the conventional digital framework.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Priced affordably at under ₹2,000, ThumbPay is particularly aimed at empowering population segments often excluded from the mainstream digital economy, such as daily wage earners and the elderly who may not be comfortable with or own a smartphone. Proxgy’s CEO and founder, Pulkit Ahuja, noted that the product is a “creative synthesis” of the foundational work India has done with Aadhaar and UPI, essentially bringing the convenience of UPI to “every person’s fingertip.”

Key Features and Rollout

The compact payment terminal is packed with essential features, including a certified fingerprint scanner with integrated fraud detection, a verification camera, and a UV sterilization mechanism for hygiene. It also offers multiple connectivity options, supporting 4G, Wi-Fi, and LoRaWAN, making it suitable for deployment in rural markets and areas with poor internet connectivity. Additionally, the device can function as a UPI soundbox and supports traditional QR and NFC payments.

Following successful pilot trials, Proxgy is now pursuing essential compliance clearances from regulatory bodies, including the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Once these approvals are secured, the company plans a phased market rollout in partnership with various banks and fintech institutions.