Future Of Facial Recognition Technology Not Just for Security Cameras

Facial recognition technology has been around for a while, but is still in its infancy. Most digital cameras utilize a simple form of FRT. It is one thing for a camera to recognize a face is present in a photograph, yet a completely different thing to actually determine whose face that is. Some cell phones and computers use a simple form FRT as a security feature. Facial recognition technology has sweeping implications on how it could change the way everyone moves about and experiences the world.

Government and military security departments are pressing hard to move this technology forward. Those responsible for keeping airports, public transit, and events such as the Olympics safe from terrorist inflicted disasters really have had no way of checking everyone, but this could change everything. In the last 7 or 8 years of development this technology researchers have ironed out quite a few bugs in the system and continue they add capabilities, such as 3D modeling, texture analysis, and compensating for the effects aging. Combining this with improvements in networked digital surveillance cameras will eventually lead to safer transportation for everyone. Since wireless security cameras can be placed just about anywhere individuals can be screened from any angle or access point.

Proponents against FRT continually point to a handful of early studies the where the technology performed poorly and fears of false identifications. It is true that these early studies fared poorly, however much has been learned since and the data collected has helped researchers determine the weaknesses in the system. Every technology that has come to fruition from the light bulb to cell phones undergoes this cycle. The company Pixar originally marketed its high end imaging machines to government and medical institutions. Today and twenty-one academy awards later Pixar continues to bring us top notch animated films, such as Toy Story and Wall-E.

It is only a matter of time before FRT is integrated into systems other than security cameras. Imagine walking up to an ATM machine and it instantly recognizes you, or verifying a credit card purchase by simply smiling for the camera. Arguing that this technology is not feasible is comparable to naysayer discussions during the early years of computing. Remember computers used to take up entire buildings and could only perform the simplest of tasks. Back then many people questioned the value the technology could add to society and many people were even fearful. Now we can scarcely imagine how people lived without them.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of wireless security cameras and surveillance cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.

Newest Members of the Police Force

Well it is not RoboCop, at least not yet. Today’s police forces are getting the edge on illicit activity in major cities across the nation using none other than wireless security cameras. Police and federal law enforcement have long used unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with cameras and special sensors to patrol borders and national forests, but these new tools are helping reduce crime and increase public safety among the most crime ridden inner cities.

California’s Los Angeles County Police Department is one of the first to incorporate wireless networked cameras to fight crime. These high quality digital camera networks produce clear crisp evidence grade recordings 24 hours a day and rely on Wi-Fi signals instead of a video server. Dispatchers monitoring cameras in high crime regions are able to deliver critical information about situations to responding deputies while en route. Response times have been significantly reduced as much as ten times enabling police to interrupt crimes in progress, such as gang fights and drug deals. Other departments who have adopted the system, such as Santa Monica PD and Redlands PD, are having similar success. Wireless networks are much less expensive to implement and can be easily reconfigured or expanded

Eventually departments would like to connect their wireless systems with the ALPR, automatic license plate recognition database. This would allow immediate and automatic checks against stolen or marked vehicles. Once a vehicle is located wireless security cameras in the area would track activity around the vehicle recording any criminal activity for police to use in investigations. Future uses might also include facial recognition tied in to government and law enforcement databases.

Another tool law enforcement officials are testing out are tiny unmanned drones. These units are outfitted with wireless security cameras and would provide an extra set of eyes for SWAT teams during tactical operations. These small drones weigh 14lbs and can be easily carried in a backpack and deployed covertly to observe target sites. This spy-in-the-sky technology functions during the day or night using infrared sensors and would be deployed during hostage situations or against barricaded forces. This technology is currently in testing phases and awaiting FAA approval.

Despite the successes, privacy advocates fear abuses of these networks and are calling for increased rules and regulations for how these new technologies can be implemented. Once guidelines are laid out it is likely police departments across the nation will follow suit.


About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of security cameras and wireless security cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit Protection Depot.