JCB Co., Ltd. and Resona Holdings, Inc. announced the start of a project to commercialize ultra-wideband (UWB) payments that will create new purchasing experiences using UWB communication technology. The two companies have agreed to launch what they describe as the world's first full-scale project for the practical application and commercialization of UWB payments.
According to the announcement, JCB will work with multiple technology partners and collaborating merchants in 2026 to demonstrate payment technology and value-added solutions for merchants, along with user experience building projects. The companies aim to launch small-scale commercial operations in 2027 and achieve full-scale commercialization in 2028. Both companies are participating in the FiRa® Consortium, which standardizes and contributes to the development of UWB communication technology. Through FiRa Consortium activities, JCB and Resona will standardize technologies and experiences for payment applications and conduct technology tests with support from participating vendors.
UWB communication technology is a short-range wireless communication technology characterized by accurate device location and high-speed data communication. The technology is currently used in Japan and overseas for location verification of digital keys for cars and homes, indoor navigation, and tags. It is also used overseas in gateless public transportation systems. The project notes that while the spread of smartphones with UWB functions has been slow outside Japan, such devices are widely available in Japan, allowing the country to utilize the technology ahead of other regions.
The UWB payment system promises to significantly improve the purchasing experience by enabling hands-free payments even with smartphones kept in pockets or bags, eliminating the need to physically touch cards or smartphones at payment terminals or scan QR codes. The technology can also instantly convey user information such as diet restrictions to merchants. By utilizing accurate smartphone location information, the system could enable value-added solutions including improved navigation and waiting efficiency in stores, distribution of personalized advertisements and coupons using smart displays, and special customer service for VIP customers.
Examples of potential value-added solutions include automated communication of food allergy information, plastic bag preferences, receipt handling requests, loyalty program information, coupon availability, and special needs requests. The system could also provide special customer service experiences for VIP customers without verbal communication with staff and enable one-to-one marketing capabilities such as displaying personalized information on smart displays and distributing targeted coupons. The technology is expected to address labor shortages by serving as a labor-saving solution for merchants.
JCB and Resona previously entered into a strategic partnership in January 2024 for a "Hands-free Payment" project using UWB communication technology. This initiative aimed to build a new payment experience that doesn't require smartphone operation by linking customer smartphones with payment terminals and various IoT devices installed in stores. JCB also announced development of a UWB-enabled app for iPhones and Apple Watches to support the project, along with a reference model of store checkout equipment and the launch of user testing.
The project aims to reduce introduction load for merchants by building a payment infrastructure that can widely accept payment solutions using UWB from competitors. In parallel with technology demonstrations, JCB and Resona will conduct research on user experience and store payment operations to confirm user and merchant acceptability. The companies will also aim to realize new UWB payments through collaboration with a wide range of partners in Japan and other countries. More information about UWB technology and the FiRa Consortium is available at https://www.firaconsortium.org.
