5 interesting application areas of this technology

The news making rounds is that Apple might be downgrading the facial ID technology in order to meet the demands of the iPhone X..

Apple has been struggling to get the 3D sensor needed to get the facial technology right and Samsung, a competitor was also having the upper hand in manufacturing know-how of OLED screen, a major feature Apple intended to adopt for the iPhone X.

Facial recognition (or face recognition) is a biometric method of identifying an individual by comparing live capture or digital image data with the stored record for that person. Facial recognition systems are commonly used for security purposes but are increasingly being used in a variety of other applications.

Here are five application areas of the emerging technology being found worthy:

Payments

The world of payments app is becoming easier by the day. With ATM enabled POS terminals,, mobile apps, bank USSDs and many startups like Paystack making it really seamless for customers and merchants to pay and get paid. These days camera-powered payments are being transacted such as with the mVisa mobile solution; Selfie pay app by Mastercard and more.

Facial recognition is already being used at ATM centres and at stores, and is only to grow bigger in adoption. Alibaba is planning to use the technology for its payments over the internet.

Criminal detection

Facial tech is used to catch criminals in the United States among other places.

Databases have been captured by the FBI authorities and use it when needed using machine learning algorithms to read and solve cases of crime.

Advertising

Data collection and gathering especially online has made marketers get even closer to target markets.

FaceTech could do much the same, by allowing companies to recognize certain demographics – for instance, if the customer is a male between the ages of 12 and 21, the screen might show an ad for the latest FIFA game.

Grocery giant Tesco plans to install OptimEyes screens at 450 petrol stations in the UK to deliver targeted ads to customers. According to company CEO Simon Sugar, the cameras could change the face of British retail. Perhaps he’s right – but only if the cameras can correctly identify customers. Being classified under the wrong age or gender is far less amusing than having your name spelt wrong on a Coca-cola PET bottle.

Healthcare

Facial biometrics will serve to identify and secure patients’ data by using a patient’s unique photo as against passwords and usernames.

Access and Security

Of course, this is already being displayed as with the Apple iphone X. Mobile smartphone makers and software companies are now partnering to get facial recognition on the phones to tighten up security of a user’s phone and his sensitive data.

In organizations , cars and houses, more facial ID will be required to gain access into buildings.

The future holds bright opportunities for facial recognition technology and though skepticisms are swaying here and there, the technology is here to stay.

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