Masks no problem for NEC's facial recognition
 

Look into my eyes

NEC has launched a facial recognition system that identifies people even when they are wearing masks, adapting to a new normal where face coverings have become a key form of protection against the spread of the coronavirus.

The outfit had been working on a system to meet the needs of allergy sufferers who wear masks - a common practice in Japan - when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted it to accelerate development.

Shinya Takashima, assistant manager of NEC’s digital platform division said: "“Needs grew even more due to the coronavirus situation as the state of emergency (last year) was continuing for a long time, and so we’ve now introduced this technology to the market.”

The system determines when a person is wearing a mask and hones in on the parts that are not covered up, such as the eyes and surrounding areas, to verify the subject’s identity. Of course users must register a photo of their face in advance.

https://fudzilla.com/news/ai/52160-m...al-recognition