OmniPerception Limited exists to meet customer requirements in the fields of computer vision, facial biometrics and video analysis.
OmniPerception Limited exists to meet customer requirements in the fields of computer vision, facial biometrics and video analysis.
23rd April 2008
Facial recognition technology is to be installed in convenience stores for the first time ever in a bid to reduce the worrying trend of underage children who are illegally purchasing alcohol and cigarettes.
The technology has been specifically devised to be used in convenience stores at the point of sale to capture images of customers that will be scanned against a database of known offenders. Any images that aren't recognised will be captured, stored and pooled with other convenience stores.
This will enable retailers for the first time to gauge almost instantly if the person they are serving is underage. The technology is a joint project by facial recognition company OmniPerception and software company Charton that has adapted existing technology into a bespoke solution that will allow convenience stores to take a responsible approach to underage drinking and smoking.
It combines OmniPerception's tried and tested Affinity™ Facial Recognition technology and Charton's proven Point of Sale, signalling and data matching technologies.
It is due to be installed into the first convenience store as a pilot project this month and it is hoped that the technology will be embraced countrywide and be commonplace in the majority of convenience stories in future.
The launch of the project entitled AgeWatch comes at a time when the industry is under pressure from the Government to clamp down on underage sales. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned shops that they could have their licences withdrawn as a consequence.
According to figures by the Institute of Alcohol studies, ten per cent of drinkers aged 12-15 admitted buying their own alcohol in shops, while 63 per cent of 16-17 year olds admitted to buying alcohol.
David McIntosh, CEO of OmniPerception said: ‘This is a truly unique project which we hope will help convenience store owners demonstrate they take a responsible attitude towards serving underage children.’
Charlie Willetts, Managing Director of Charton Ltd explained: ‘The technology is the first of its kind in the world and has taken years of planning. Until now, combining the many technologies has been virtually impossible, but we have jointly come up with a way of automatically reviewing moving clips that are constantly changing and are now able to use this as part of a bespoke facial recognition system.’