HRS works with OmniPerception and BAE Systems to develop further applications for 3D facial recognition technology

03 March 2010

BAE Systems has drafted in 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 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.