Published October 9th, 2007
Active Driver Safety System
Facial recognition seems like it has been that science fiction technology which is always ‘right around the corner.’ You see it on Discovery Channel specials, and hear about scientists doing all kinds of cool things with it in the lab, but rarely see it in real products. Recently, this technology has finally been brought into some new products for average consumers. First, some new consumer cameras incorporated this technology to improve focusing on the faces of the subjects, and to check and make sure everyone is smiling.
Then, Lexus created this system which employs facial recognition for a much more practical use. It uses a set of cameras, remote controls, and computer-run algorithms to make sure you are paying attention to the road. The driver-facing camera is coupled with a camera which looks in front of the vehicle for upcoming obstacles. When both an inattentive driver and an upcoming are sensed, the system kicks into action, sounding a buzzer, pre-tensioning the seat belts, and even applying the brakes.
Applications such as these show that facial recognition may finally be turning the corner, and may be giving the average consumer some cool new functions on a wide variety of products.
via gizmag
