Applications

The innovative research going on in face recognition technology is resulting in the development of more sophisticated approaches every day. Along with the techniques, the applications too are increasing. Leading applications include restricting access to physical resources such as buildings and facilities and nowadays it has been extended for the way in to a country too!! The US government has started ‘US-VISIT’ (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology), aimed at foreign travellers gaining entry to the United States. The biometrics and photograph taken at the time of issuing visa are verified when the person arrives in US.

 

Controlling access to IT resources, such as computers and networks is one of the crucial applications. Unlike the use of proxy-type credentials such as cards, passwords or PINs, which can be easily shared or stolen, this solution confirms that the intended user was present for an access transaction. As the system is becoming compatible with the cameras and computers already installed at various facilities like airports, banks etc, it is getting more popular for security at outdoor public spaces.

 

Many potential applications include national security, ATM and check cashing, counter terrorism, authentication for entry to secured high risk places like nuclear power plants, military bases and borders.

 

The admirable potential of facial recognition also has some drawbacks such as limited accuracy and highly complex and expensive installation. But the continuing advances in technology are showing potential to enhance the usability and limiting all limitations. Face recognition, also considered as better than the rest of the Biometrics techniques, is an active research area involving integration of different fields such as physics, biology, mathematics, computer science and is presenting incredible solutions with the unified efforts.

 

Hopes are high, to witness entirely secure and robust surroundings, scrutinised by our own face!!