Westpac’s PayWear – Innovative Wearable Payment Technology

Wouldn’t it be so much easier if we just paid everything with our wearables? Well, there is a way now with Westpac’s PayWear, a tap-and-pay hands-free wearable payment technology.

Launching next month, PayWear Essentials will be out in the market. It’s a silicone band and a ‘keeper’, which can be easily attached to a watch or fitness band. This device contains a microchip (PayWear Card) linked to the customer’s everyday transaction account.

Wear, tap and pay

Functioning just like a debit card, customers can just tap and pay in the same way, without having to reach for their wallet or smartphone. This wearable payment technology is waterproof and battery-free.

George Frazis, Westpac Group Chief Executive said Australia will be able to experience the greatest convenience of this technology.

“Australia has the highest contactless penetration in the world, and cards continue to replace cash as consumers demand convenience,” he said. “We’re always looking for new ways to help make our customers’ lives easier, and with our new PayWear products, customers will be able to pay on-the-go, in one hands-free step.”

With PayWear, there’s no need to dig through a bag or login to an app. It’s an always on-the-go wearables that customers can experience smooth convenience to just tap and pay.

Style Matters

Style obviously plays a big part with 70% of customers only wearing a wearable device if it suits their personal style and lifestyle.

This is why there will be a partnership between the bank and iconic Australian designers to create a variety of wearable accessory designs to suit different tastes, preferences and styles.

The first designer partnership to be announced is Hayden Cox of Haydenshapes. Hayden Cox, seen here in our hero shot, is an award-winning surfboard shaper and entrepreneur.

Designs will be hand-picked to speak to a wide mix of everyday Australians – from surfers and fitness fanatics, to busy parents, professionals and festival-goers.

Hayden says that the opportunity to collaborate with Westpac has been a natural fit when it comes to designing products that are innovative, functional and stylish.

He added that designing something that is functional has always been something that he is passionate about particularly technology and products that improves experiences for people.

“It was this passion which led me to creating and filing a patent on my parabolic carbon fibre surfboard construction, FutureFlex, and wanting to uniquely design my product to improve the serving experience,” he said.

Availability

All Westpac customers with banking account eligible for a Debit Mastercard will be able to order the PayWear Card online via Westpac Live, which can be inserted into the PayWear accessory. The PayWear essentials will be available next week and The Designer range will be out in early 2018.

For more info go to www.westpac.com.au/paywear.