May 2013 Biometric Technology Today

EVENTS CALENDAR

3

NEWS

Smart fridge recognises shoppers

ShelfX has released a facial recogni-tion add-on that allows its smart

shelves to instantly identify buyers’ faces as they approach merchandise.

A vending fridge can be equipped with a small camera and integrated with facial rec-ognition software. The first time a customer approaches the vending fridge, he or she uses their NFC Xcard to open the fridge and access products. In doing so, the attached, soon to be embedded, camera will take a picture of their face. The shopper can then proceed to select products as the ShelfX Vending Fridge records what is taken and bills accordingly.

The next time the customer comes back, as the shopper approaches the fridge the ShelfX system will automatically identify their account, provide access, track purchases and bill them.

“Facial recognition has been used in count-less industries like security and transportation for many years now, so why not take it into the retail space and enhance the buying experience by eliminating every possible obstacle in the buy-ing process,” says Ran Margalit, CEO at ShelfX.

ShelfX plans to release an open API that will enable more intelligent software and hardware integrations. With this API, retailers or third party solution providers will be able to develop cutting-edge applications such as the facial rec-ognition add-on, customising any ShelfX solu-tion to meet the needs of their business.

Separately, Marketing Week has reported that GPS maker Garmin has linked with video ana-lytics firm Quividi whose technology recognises the gender of people passing by a screen, serves them with a targeted ad and also relays cam-paign reporting back to the brand.

Garmin will target female audiences, using facial recognition technology to deliver ads promoting its association with the UK’s Cancer Research fund-raiser ‘Race For Life’ in the run-up to summer.

As part of the trial, ads containing ‘gender appropriate’ Garmin products, such as watches,

will be served to female audiences across Amscreen’s network of 6,000 outdoor screens.

UN deploys biometrics against pirates

The United Nations Trust Fund for the Fight against Piracy has approved a

package of projects to provide biomet-rics-based fishermen database systems.

These will support monitoring and surveillance of fisheries resources, while providing important information to counter-piracy forces in support of anti-piracy efforts in Somalia and other affected countries in the region, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Maldives and the Seychelles.

The five projects, worth $2m, aim to ensure that the ongoing piracy trials are conducted in a fair and efficient manner and that the human rights, health and safety of individuals suspect-ed of piracy are protected.

AOptix delivers iris, finger, voice and face recognition to iPhone

AOptix has unveiled AOptix Stratus, delivering iris, fingerprint, voice,

and face recognition in an integrated iPhone-based solution.

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10–12 June 2013Chicago, US2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Biometrics & Biostatistics The event will promote the national and internation-al exchange of knowledge and research techniques with leading universities and research institutions throughout the world. The scientific programme will focus on advances in research and serve as a catalyst for the advancement of biostatistics and biometrics.More information: http://www.omicsgroup.com/conferences/biometrics-biostatistics-2013

11–15 June 2013Alghero, Italy10th Summer school for advanced studies on biometrics for secure authenticationThis school follows the successful international sum-mer schools on biometrics held since 2003, but with a different target. In this 10th edition, the courses will mainly focus on new and emerging issues such as will biometrics help address the new and emerg-ing challenges of the e-society? They will examine how to exploit the human dimension in multi-biometric systems and how to exploit new biometric technologies in forensics and security applications, as well as standardisation, evaluation and assess-ment of biometric applications.More information: biometricsummerschool@gmail.com

24–25 June 2013Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, LondonSecuring Asia 2013Securing Asia 2013 will bring together the Asian security sector in London in a two-day conference and exposition creating a forum for Asian and global security suppliers.More information: http://securingasia.com

27 June 2013London, UKBiometrics Technology Showcase Europe 2013The Biometrics Institute launched this event in June 2012 and is now organising it as an annual gather-ing of the industry. Over 70 delegates registered for the last event and it provided a setting for suppliers to display their latest services and products to exist-ing and prospective clients.More information: http://www.biometricsinsti-tute.org/events.php/370/technology-showcase-europe-2013

9–11 July 2013Sint Maarten, West IndiesRegional Seminar on Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs), Biometrics and Identification ManagementICAO’s MRTD Regional Seminar will assist member states in North American, Central American and Caribbean Regions in implementing ICAO machine-readable travel document specifications and related ICAO standards and recommended practices. The seminar will specifically address the needs of states to enhance the integrity of the passport issuance process and ensure robust identification manage-ment in order to maximise border security and facilitation benefits.More information: http://www.icao.int/meetings/mrtd-sintmaarten2013/Pages/default.aspx

AOptix Stratus: delivering iris, fingerprint, voice, and face recognition.

ShelfX facial recognition add-on allows vending fridges to recognise repeat customers.

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