The ability to detect and verify an individual based on their face is not a new technology. It was first developed in the 1960s by Woodrow Wilson Bledsoe. He used manual RAND tablet entry to position the features of the face that were saved to a database.
However, this type of face recognition technology was not only cumbersome, but it was only effective for those faces that were entered into the database. This was not computer processing, but it did demonstrate the potential.
Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, different technologies using specific markers on the face were used to make matches. These early attempts formed the foundation for modern facial recognition software, creating the potential for a highly accurate way to detect faces. It was not until the early 2000s that police departments and security services started using this as part of their tools.
Today, thanks to the commercial sector and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning (DL) Technology, face recognition technology is now a component of effective security protocols and procedures.
How It Works
Companies and businesses can now incorporate face recognition technology through their KYC (know your customer) documents or employment records. The user provides an authenticated picture, typically a passport or government-issued identification card.
The customer, client, or employee, then takes a selfie of their face, and the technology automatically pinpoints key authentication points on the face, providing an immediate yes or no for a match. Issues with hairstyle, lighting, or even natural aging are accommodated through the use of AI and DL, accuracy over time is maintained.
