This Week’s Top Stories Offer a Glimpse of the Future of Facial Recognition

In this week’s roundup of top FindBiometrics stories, we take a look at a new edge processor and an innovative blockchain project with facial recognition. We also address the ongoing selfie authentication and border screening booms, and the threat that a new spoofing technique could present to both.

Up first, Renesas and Syntiant have released a new processor that was built to enable voice recognition and computer vision applications in edge devices. The processor combines Renesas’ RZ/V Series MPU with Syntiant’s NDP120 Neural Decision Processor, and can be deployed in virtually any device with a suitable camera setup:

Renesas and Syntiant Unveil Processor for Edge Voice and Computer Vision Applications

FaceTec will be providing facial recognition technology for the Humanode blockchain project, which is built around the concept of Proof of Existence. In that regard, the project assigns ownership of one (and only one) node to each member of the network, which ensures that each member has an equal stake in the endeavor. The solution is intended to prevent the power imbalances that emerge in systems (like Bitcoin) that use a Proof of Work approach, which reward users that already have access to greater resources outside the network:

Trailblazing Blockchain Project Looks to FaceTec for Key ‘Proof of Existence’ Tech

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have come up with a new spoofing technique that could theoretically end facial recognition’s utility as a secure authentication method. Their computer generated master faces are intended to function as master keys that can unlock any facial recognition system. However, they built their technique with a dataset with significant racial biases, and tested it against non-commercial facial recognition systems. As a result, it’s unclear if their conclusions have any bearings on real-world applications of the technology:

Researchers Claim Their ‘Master Faces’ Can Fool Facial Recognition Systems. Are They Right?

The growing interest in selfie-based onboarding solutions has pushed Socure to record growth in the past fiscal quarter. The company now has more than 500 enterprise customers, and has enjoyed record growth for three consecutive quarters:

Selfie Onboarding Boom Delivers Record Growth for Socure

Finally, one more airport now offers support for US Customs and Border Protection’s Simplified Arrival system. The facial recognition system has made its way to Kansas City International Airport, where it will speed up the screening process for domestic and foreign travelers alike.

CBP Brings Biometric Screening to Kansas City Airport

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Keep reading FindBiometrics for the latest news from the exciting world of biometrics. You can also visit our sibling site Mobile ID World to hear the latest about digital identity.

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August 14, 2021 – by Eric Weiss