OmniPerception's News & Events

Press Release: Human Recognition Systems joins alliance to 'fast forward' 3D face technology

03 March 2010

International defence and security company BAE Systems has drafted in biometric and identity management specialist Human Recognition Systems (HRS) to help 'fast forward' 3D facial recognition technology that will vastly improve security in train stations and airports.

The project will ultimately help police and security professionals to identify suspects on CCTV as they move quickly through public spaces, read their lip and speech patterns and build up a picture of their behaviour through multiple CCTV cameras.

HRS is currently assisting facial biometric experts OmniPerception by enrolling the faces of over 250 Liverpool-based employees at its company HQ.

The mass face enrolment trial, which consists of sitting on a revolving platform whilst hundreds of images are taken of faces from all angles, will help the 3D face recognition technology to identify known criminals just by the shape of their nose or cheekbone.

During 2010, HRS will be working closely with OmniPerception and BAE Systems to develop further applications for the technology, including mass transit systems and schemes that require large-scale enrolment or verification in airports, train stations, sea ports and at large sporting events.

David Mullin, Manager of BAE Systems’ Investment in Innovation (I3) programme, which is funding this project said: `HRS has been identified as a partner for our I3 initiative, which supports research and technology partnerships focusing on specialist areas such as biometric identification of people on the move.

`Working together with HRS and OmniPerception, we are able to pool capabilities and technologies to develop these solutions more quickly. We are looking forward to delivering these solutions to our own customers to meet their defence and security requirements into the future.`

Neil Norman, chief executive of Human Recognition Systems, said: `These are exciting times - our combined efforts will transform the development of biometric recognition, face finding and tracking technology worldwide.

`This project will also help us to deeply understand how the technology can be used for wider non-security based systems that will improve people flow through public spaces and speed up large-scale enrolment situations.`

OmniPerception CEO Stewart Hefferman said: `This exciting partnership brings together the complementary skills of BAE Systems and HRS with those of OmniPerception to make rapid advances in face recognition technology possible.

`This collaboration has reduced our time-to-market for some of our specialist products, which themselves have benefited greatly from the experience, knowledge and input of both BAE Systems and HRS.

`This type of collaboration between SMEs and a larger organisation with a global presence is a model which will enhance the competitive position of all parties.`

Human Recognition Systems is an award-winning consultancy and systems integrator specialising in biometrics, identity management and video processing technology.

The company has developed multi-biometric, smart surveillance and identity management solutions for companies including Manchester Airport, construction giant Carillion as well as key government bodies including the Department of Health and Ministry of Defence.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Human Recognition Systems by Citypress.
For further information, please contact:

Ruth Grundy               Katherine Fletcher  
Citypress                    Citypress
T 0161 235 0307        T 0161 235 0305
ruth@citypress.co.uk    katherine.fletcher@citypress.co.uk

Notes to editors

About Human Recognition Systems

Human Recognition Systems Limited is one of the UK’s most recognised industry experts in biometric and identity management consulting, with specialist expertise in human behavioural analytics.

Established in 2002 by entrepreneur Neil Norman, HRS quickly established itself as the market leader in developing multi-biometric, smart surveillance and identity management solutions for companies such as Manchester Airport, Next, BNFL and WH Smith.

The business offers consultancy to a number of sectors including Government, healthcare, defence, finance, construction, retail, hospitality and aviation.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded US $34.4 billion (£18.5 billion) in 2008.

About OmniPerception

OmniPerception, a private British company based in Guildford, Surrey, is a global supplier of computer vision capabilities, specialising in facial biometrics and advanced image processing. The company's software is in widespread use in the UK and internationally, providing automated solutions for the recognition of objects and people in a wide range of customer applications - including secure biometric access control and facial imaging for police custody management and criminal investigations.