NEC Corp. has developed a system using the latest facial recognition technology that allows for scanning of individuals even if they are wearing a mask, and plans to roll it out in mid-October.
NEC, foreseeing use of the system in office buildings and other locations that have security gates, developed it in response to demands for a way to cut out the need to take off the mask, as many people wear masks all day due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The technology matches facial information of the individual picked up by the camera, such as the position of their eyes and the width between their eyebrows, with a pre-scanned image of their face to provide a positive identification.
The facial recognition process is completed within a second by scanning characteristics around the eyes. By combining the system with NEC's existing iris recognition technology, individuals will also be identifiable in dark places.
NEC plans to market the system to airports, companies, schools among other entities. It has set a target of 100 billion yen in sales by the end of fiscal 2021 from its businesses for biometrics and image analysis in addition to facial recognition.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
A facial recognition system that allows for masks to kept on is tested at the security gate of NEC Corp.'s home office in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
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