This is surprising to me as well. In Germany, where I live, the government is using smartcards as authentication mechanisms at many places for at least 5 years

This is surprising to me as well. In Germany, where I live, the government is using smartcards as authentication mechanisms at many places for at least 5 years now, if not 10 or more. The workers don't need passwords or user names, they're simply plugging in their card into their keyboard and when they're leaving for a break or are going home, they're taking their card with them and everything locks automatically. This is only working internally, externally they have to log into a VPN via username/password and then have to use the smartcard as well. I don't see why this is suddenly innovative.