Software To Evaluate Facial Expressions Developed

The Technology Review site has up an article on new software that can do quantitative analysis of facial expressions, detecting whether a person is smiling. The software was developed by the Omron Corporation, and can also estimate a subject's age and gender, or verify a person's identity from a database. Though the company doesn't yet know whether it plans to release the software commercially, there are a number of obvious applications. "Omron envisions the smile software being used in marketing, perhaps to evaluate consumers' reactions to a new product or to an advertising campaign. A smile checker could also help train customer-service staff to meet Japan's legendarily high standards ... A smile in isolation is easy to detect, but the bigger challenge is to develop systems that can recognize the concerto of facial actions that make up complex expressions like confusion, fear, and disgust." Thanks to jamie for the link.

Comments

Re:What are the non-enforcement uses?

[Speare]

How can this system be used outside of law enforcement?

Sony has already developed a camera with a simpler form of "smile detection." If engaged, the camera will scan the scene for all subjects to smile and then allow the shutter sequence to fire. Seems really gimmicky (useless in practice) to me, but a new tickbox on the carton equates to sales.

Sony Smile-Detecting Camera

Re:Metaverse

[esecasco]

I have to agree...this tech could find very good usage in video games. In multi-player it could definitely add an element of interaction for all gestures. For example, if it can detect a facial expression, why not a head movement, so instead of a radio button to say "yes" you can just nod, and have your character do the same. Shake, tilt your head, etc, etc. Also, the element of expression could add a new level of interaction, in conjuction with voice communication. From someone screaming angrily with a war cry, to someone cowering as they see their allies die. And lets not forget single player. An NPC would be able to see if you're angry, or happy. NPCs could be coded to devise cunning ways of tricking you depending on what you're expressing.