Panasonic has been developing facial recognition technologies for over 30 years, which have been applied to consumer electronics such as the Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Mirrorless camera.
Panasonic LUMIX G85
The following video presents Panasonic LUMIX – THE CREATORS:
“An encounter of Panasonic’s spirit of creativity in production and professional photographer through the LUMIX digital cameras and lenses.
CD: Atsushi Sasaki
DoP/Editor: Steven Clary (LUMIX Ambassador)
Cast/Second Camera: Jacob James (LUMIX Ambassador)
Composer: Marihiko Hara
Drone Pilot UK: James Bradbury-Willis
Drone Pilot Japan: Akihiro Sasaki”
Panasonic recently announced that it will release the face recognition server software, WV-ASF950, using deep learning technology in July 2018 outside Japan and in August 2018 in Japan.
- Featuring a core engine that boasts the world’s highest face recognition performance*1, this high-precision face recognition software can identify faces that are difficult to recognize with conventional technologies, including faces at an angle of up to 45 degrees to the left or right or 30 degrees up or down, and those partially hidden by sunglasses or surgical masks*2
- In Addition, the new software features the “iA (intelligent Auto) mode”*3 that automatically adjusts settings for the camera to shoot optimal images best suited for face recognition.
*1 In April 2017, the product achieved the highest level of face recognition performance in the world in a comparison test (IJB-A Face Verification Challenge Performance Report/IJB -A Face Identification Challenge Performance Report) of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) of the United States, one of the most authoritative institutes in the world.
*2 Scheduled for launch by the end of 2018.
*3 A function that utilizes the technology of Panasonic’s “LUMIX” consumer digital cameras to capture optimal images for face recognition by automatically detecting the moving objects, movement speed, faces, and light intensity (whether the scene is day or night) found in video that is usually hard to see due to subject movement and backlight, in order to enable real-time optimization of settings.
The following video presents Face Recognition Server Software Using Deep Learning Technology:
Panasonic’s Deep Learning Face Recognition Software has the following features:
- High precision:
– The world’s highest face recognition engine as evaluated by NIST (IJB-A face challenge)
– iA function and Best Shot images maximize face recognition engine performance and provide high recognition precision - System cost reduction: Send only the “Best Shot” images to reduce server load and network load
- System expandability:
– Register up to 30,000 faces (Available as an option)
– Integrated management with i-PRO monitoring system: Enables integrated management of a face recognition system and monitoring system with the same GUI
System Expandability: Register up to 30,000 faces (option sold separately)
- Simple batch registration of a maximum of 10,000 faces is possible with the standard Face Recognition Server Software (WV-ASF950).
- The optional Face Registration Expansion Kit (WV-ASFE951W) enables registration of up to 30,000 faces at large-scale facilities.
Integrated management with Panasonic i-PRO monitoring system
- Face detection, face recognition, and tracking with recorded video can be performed in the same GUI by performing integrated management with the WV-ASM300 or WV-ASE231W client software for Panasonic i-PRO monitoring systems.
- This eliminates the need for the dedicated operation and management required for conventional face recognition systems and enables work to be centralized.
NEWS RELEASE
Panasonic Brings Highly Accurate Facial Recognition Solution to Life: Making it Possible to Recognize Individuals Even When Wearing Sunglasses
Apr 04, 2018
In 2017, smartphones embedded with facial recognition drew much attention. In October of the same year, Tokyo International Airport began operation of facial recognition gates to meet the rapid increase in inbound tourists. Facial recognition is becoming more and more of a staple in the security industry. Amid this environment, Panasonic has made it possible to recognize individuals facing diagonally or even wearing sunglasses.
Image security market and Panasonic’s facial recognition technologies
With the expansion of information networks and increasing crime, there is mounting concern for security in Japan. Panasonic has been developing facial recognition technologies for over 30 years, taken part in various demonstration trials, and ultimately delivered solutions to various government agencies and ministries. Moreover, the technology is now being applied to wider fields including consumer electronics and products and systems catering to enterprise use.
Panasonic’s facial recognition technologies
Overcoming technical challenges of facial recognition using comprehensive capabilities
With respect to facial recognition in the field of security, it is quite rare to find favorable photographing conditions, and in many cases, it is technologically difficult to recognize faces. Using a facial recognition engine powered by deep learning technology, Panasonic has significantly improved the recognition rate by extracting distinctive facial characteristics. Even when a part of an individual’s face is hidden by sunglasses or a surgical mask, the face is turned 45 degrees, or a comparison is being made to an image taken 10 years ago (aging analysis), Panasonic has made it possible to verify and recognize individuals. In addition to this facial recognition engine, the solution realizes highly accurate facial recognition integrating intelligent camera technology cultivated through the development of the “LUMIX” digital camera, which can automatically recognize various scenes and optimize camera settings, as well as image surveillance software.
1. Enhancing facial recognition rate using engine powered by deep learning technology
The facial recognition engine is powered by deep learning technology co-developed with the National University of Singapore. By merging multiple deep learning structures to compensate for frontal head position and angled head position, Panasonic has made it possible to overcome traditional challenges in facial recognition such as when a face is turned diagonally or downwards, when wearing sunglasses or a surgical mask, and when facial features change due to aging. As a result, the recognition rate has improved by up to 5 times.
Panasonic’s facial recognition technology with deep learning
2. Supporting highly accurate facial recognition with “LUMIX” camera technologies
The camera’s intelligent auto (iA) function automatically adjusts settings for the camera to shoot optimal images best suited for facial recognition even in difficult conditions such as in the presence of backlighting or low light. The iA mode is an application of the technologies cultivated through the development of the “LUMIX” digital camera, and can automatically detect various shooting conditions and optimize camera settings.
Panasonic facial recognition with “LUMIX” camera technologies
At the same time, with Panasonic’s proprietary Best Shot technology, the camera will crop only the part of the image necessary for facial recognition and send it to the server. By handling part of the image analysis and processing, the camera decreases the server load to approximately 1/5, and network load to approximately 1/10. In comparison to conventional systems that do not utilize this function, the costs are nearly 40-50% lower.
Panasonic’s Best Shot technology
3. Images of a certain individual may be confirmed on one screen in real time
An important ability for surveillance and crime prevention systems is searching for individuals. In this respect, this solution can search for an individual’s facial image and track where the individual appeared, where he/she headed to, and where he/she is at the moment in chronological order on a single screen. The advantage of Panasonic’s one-stop solution is that it includes cameras and the entire system and enables easy searches on the same screen as the image surveillance software.
In the past, surveillance systems were used primarily for evidence or for post-confirmation, but a system like this that can detect in real time will help readily detect incidents and accidents, and may even help in preventing them from happening.
Panasonic’s facial recognition technology: Images of a certain individual may be confirmed on one screen in real time
Contributing to broadening applications with hardware and software technologies
The demand for and application of facial recognition are increasing from traditional fields such as crime prevention, crime investigation and access control, to marketing. Panasonic will continue to combine its unique hardware and software technologies and further push the envelope to provide more solutions that are powered by facial recognition.
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