New AI-powered facial recognition system reads vital signs
STORY: Imaoka, who has been working in the facial recognition industry for about 20 years, saw new opportunities for his field with the advancement of artificial intelligence.
With his parents now 80 and Japan facing an aging society, he sought to combine AI with facial recognition in a new system that takes the vital signs of elderly individuals.
It's a way to help provide care that is easy and can be used to share health information remotely, he said.
"I think it's probably difficult for an elderly to wear a device like a smart watch. So we wanted to create a system that can examine people's health status just by the look of their faces, and that's why we are exhibiting it here," Imaoka told Reuters in Las Vegas.
The system works through a smartphone. The user opens the system and looks into the camera.
From there, it takes as little as 10 seconds or as long as 60 seconds for the image recognition AI technology to analyze pupil movements and facial patterns to take several measurements, including pulse rate, oxygen levels, and respiratory rate.
Imaoka said they hope to add other measurements like stress levels and focus ability as they continue to develop the system.
NEC plans to release the system later this year.
