Facial Recognition Technology in a World of Smart Cities
Published on : Tuesday 30-11--0001
Smart cities are no longer a futuristic vision but a reality. With over half the world’s population living in urban areas and the trend towards metropolitan living set to continue, cities across the globe are turning to digital technology to help them face the challenges of rapid urbanisation. According to ABI research, Singapore, Dubai and London are currently leading the charge but by 2020, it’s projected there will be 600 smart cities worldwide.
Integrated Technology
For city living to remain sustainable under the strain of an increasing population, improved function across public services is key – from energy systems and waste management, to transport networks and law enforcement. With a complex framework of integrated technologies existing across multiple levels of urban infrastructure, smart cities are better able to optimise limited resources, increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the day to day experience of inhabitants.
Smart City Applications of Biometric Facial Technology
Biometric facial recognition systems are just one element of a smart city’s network but will play a key role in the future of global urban development and improving the experience of ‘smart citizens’. From public safety to personal convenience, the range of applications is varied:
- Law and order – Effective solutions for reducing and preventing crime are critical in any highly populated area. A fully-automated system that allows the detection and tracking of offenders throughout the city environment, facial recognition technology is a powerful law enforcement tool that can alert authorities in real time, whether its security guards on a shop floor, police on the street or customs officers.
- Consumer convenience – Faster, more efficient systems keep a city moving. With your face as your credit card, smart citizens don’t have to search for change, find an ATM or worry about a lost/stolen wallet. A secure biometric system makes paying for goods or services effortless wherever you are, whether shopping at the supermarket, hopping on a bus or boarding a flight.
- Access and security – Facial Biometric access control can allow a city’s inhabitants seamless access and egress to a wide range of sites but also facilitates the protection of sensitive spaces (like schools, residential buildings or government facilities) by restricting access to approved visitors only.
- Emergency applications – By definition, an emergency needs a quick and efficient response. Searching for missing people and responding to natural disasters are just two examples of time-sensitive situations where biometric identity and location data can be crucial; facial recognition has already been used in some smart cities to successfully locate vulnerable people who have gone missing.
Innovation and Development
With McKinsey research indicating that 60% of the world’s GDP will be generated by smart cities by 2025, it’s clear that the QikDETEKT™ technology has real-world applications of vast consequence. With the concept of smart cities gathering momentum, it’s an exciting time to be at the forefront of implementing, innovating and developing biometric facial recognition systems.
