Facial Recognition for Dummies

Facial recognition in a retail environment, previously conducted by digital signage and kiosks, has just received a slightly scary makeover courtesy of Italian company Almax, whose EyeSee mannequin videos shoppers and categorises them for marketing purposes.

The EUR 4,000 ($5,100) dolls can read facial characteristics using cameras sited in their eyes, and determine age, gender and race to help with targeted marketing while customers are in the store. As yet, the customer is kept anonymous, images are not stored and the mannequins can be used with a closed-circuit TV license.

Almax says the dolls, which do not recognize individual customers but can reportedly be programmed to ignore members of staff, are being used by several retailers in Europe and the USA and may get 'ears' next to pick up customer comments about products.

Web site: www.almax-italy.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.