Japan Builds on Face Recognition Technology
- 14 years ago
As global concerns about security rise, Japan is honing its face-recognition technology. A newly released recognition software can be used by companies to keep check on customers and employees.
The software from Japanese company Omron uses walk-through recognition of facial features to determine access. It allows entrants to forgo passwords, swipe cards or physical identification like fingerprints.
The system takes a two-dimensional facial imprint and overlays a 3-D mask allowing evaluation.
[Ryoji Ohashi, Omron Sales Staff]: (Japanese, male)
"This device can read several facial features, such as the position of the eyes, the nose or the mouth, elaborating on the images captured by the security camera. It can detect the faces of specific people."
Previously, Omron's other versions of its face recognition technology included a "smile-scan" system. It’s used to rate grins, helping firms in the service industry to train employees to be more enthusiastic.
Other software could identify approximate age and gender, while another technology employed at truck stops in northern Japan, helped to check driver alertness.
Omron says its current version, which was released on January 18, will help hotels and restaurants identify VIP customers or those on their blacklist. It will also help companies keep tabs on employees' movements within the company.
The scanner's crime-fighting potential seems obvious. But Omron says the technology is yet to be used for identifying criminals.
[Ryoji Ohashi, Omron Sales Staff]: (Japanese, male)
"Even if people change their makeup or wear glasses or hats, the system can detect the face with high probability. But in the case of plastic surgery, it is very difficult to identify the person. For example, it is very unlikely that it can be used to search for criminals."
The scanners start at about $22,000 U.S. dollars.
The software from Japanese company Omron uses walk-through recognition of facial features to determine access. It allows entrants to forgo passwords, swipe cards or physical identification like fingerprints.
The system takes a two-dimensional facial imprint and overlays a 3-D mask allowing evaluation.
[Ryoji Ohashi, Omron Sales Staff]: (Japanese, male)
"This device can read several facial features, such as the position of the eyes, the nose or the mouth, elaborating on the images captured by the security camera. It can detect the faces of specific people."
Previously, Omron's other versions of its face recognition technology included a "smile-scan" system. It’s used to rate grins, helping firms in the service industry to train employees to be more enthusiastic.
Other software could identify approximate age and gender, while another technology employed at truck stops in northern Japan, helped to check driver alertness.
Omron says its current version, which was released on January 18, will help hotels and restaurants identify VIP customers or those on their blacklist. It will also help companies keep tabs on employees' movements within the company.
The scanner's crime-fighting potential seems obvious. But Omron says the technology is yet to be used for identifying criminals.
[Ryoji Ohashi, Omron Sales Staff]: (Japanese, male)
"Even if people change their makeup or wear glasses or hats, the system can detect the face with high probability. But in the case of plastic surgery, it is very difficult to identify the person. For example, it is very unlikely that it can be used to search for criminals."
The scanners start at about $22,000 U.S. dollars.