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A new facial-recognition software, reported to be unrivalled in terms of speed and accuracy, has been developed by scientists at the University of Manchester. The technology, which was designed for mobile phones, is already being tipped by some to eventually replace passwords and PIN numbers to log into the Internet from mobile devices.
Demonstrated at the Nokia N900 for the European Union funded “Mobile Biometrics” project, the software was originally intended to form part of a face- and voice-verification system for access to mobile Internet applications such as email, online banking and social networking although it can also be used for fun applications like attaching virtual objects to the user’s face as they move their head around.
Furthermore, apart from correctly identifying the user, the program will be able to say where users are looking and how they are feeling. This is because while existing mobile face trackers only approximate positions and scales of the human face, this model functions in real time and accurately tracks a number of landmarks such as, the eyes, mouth, nose and jaw line, on and around the face. According to the lead researcher on the project, Dr Phil Tresadern, the program functions in “a mobile phone with a camera on the front, captures a video of your face and tracks 22 facial features.”
While there are already face verification systems in use in some laptops, Webcams etc, this is the first time the technology will be used in this particular format in mobile devices such as smartphones. If successfully implemented, it could actually render the need for different login codes and passwords redundant.
Talking Point
Would you prefer a face verification system to the existing password/pin number user-authentication system?
10 Comments
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Henway
November 9, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Interesting feature… I know Bloomberg terminals have such a similar recognition feature when someone logs on to their terminals.
callezee
November 10, 2010 at 7:39 am
Interesting features…..
Technology developed….
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dul rochman
November 12, 2010 at 8:30 am
Thank you for your writing. I am very interested to read your next articles, very useful. Do not be bored to share your knowledge with us.
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November 17, 2010 at 3:48 pm
It was always inevitable that people would try to move security forward in this way but if people protected their pin more it wouldn’t be necessary to have face recognition. You could see the obvious flaws with signatures but I think PINs are far more secure.
Frans
November 17, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I think this will be a good idea. Older people don’t have to keep their PIN somewhere in their wallet (because they often forget their PIN). It sure would improve safety.
But on the other hand, what will happen if your face can’t get ID’d properly. You need to withdrawl cash, but the ATM says you are not the owner. That would be a problem.
Bishwajeet
November 17, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I am using Lenovo’s Facial recognition software and I don’t think that it is suitable.
ielts
December 17, 2010 at 3:02 pm
This is the latest advancement in technology and I have first time read about such a mobile.
Sandra
August 28, 2011 at 12:37 am
It would be great if it can do it so fast that you don’t even realise you just got identified.
Then it would be great instead of a password. I hope it doesn’t work on a picture of the owner of the phone. And if you don’t get recognized that you have to sign in with a password.