Cameras That Can Tell a Lie

Japanese scientists have developed a camera that can calculate a person's real age and whether their smile is authentic.

The technology functions by comparing the relative size and position of an individual’s facial features with a massive database of human faces.

The age calculation can also be used in areas such as vending machines and ID theft. The identification aspect of genuine smiles is potentially useful in mental healthcare, service industry training and even cameras that refuse to take a picture when confronted with a certain expression.

The new camera technology system has been developed by Omron Corporation, based in Kyoto. Staff and technology officials have analyzed approximately 1.5 million pictures of human faces. They say analyzing smiles came first because they were easier to analyze. However, are now working on making a computer scan a face for signs of other moods as well.

When testing the smile software it simply uses key features. In a 'perfect' smile, not only does the mouth change shape but smile wrinkles appear and the eyes appear smaller. In addition, people open their mouths slightly and show their teeth when their smile is genuine.  

Researchers admitted that the software would have its limitations. For example, the camera would be able to tell the difference between a person who is 19 years old and someone who is 363 days old. Which could help in proving that a person is too young to buy cigarettes or alcohol.

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