Face-Recognition Vending Machines Fail
Alex Covert — June 28, 2008 — Lifestyle
References: pinktentacle
"Are you going to buy it with your good looks or mine?" As it turns out, underage smokers in Japan can easily buy cigarettes using someone else's photo or an image from a magazine.
Most of Japan's 570,000 cigarette vending machines are being outfitted with RFID readers that check the purchaser's Taspo age-verification card. For those who don't have a card, they can buy their cigarettes over the counter or from one of 4,000 face-recognition vending machines. The system compares the buyer's face to a database of over 100,000 people, looking for signs of old age. It seems, however, that the system can be tricked by holding up a photograph of someone else.
Most of Japan's 570,000 cigarette vending machines are being outfitted with RFID readers that check the purchaser's Taspo age-verification card. For those who don't have a card, they can buy their cigarettes over the counter or from one of 4,000 face-recognition vending machines. The system compares the buyer's face to a database of over 100,000 people, looking for signs of old age. It seems, however, that the system can be tricked by holding up a photograph of someone else.
Trend Themes
1. Facial Recognition Security - Developing facial recognition technology with more sophisticated algorithms to avoid hacking.
2. Age Verification Innovation - Creating more secure age verification systems by using biometric data instead of relying on government-issued IDs.
3. Intelligent Vending Machines - Integrating artificial intelligence into vending machines to prevent fraudulent transactions.
Industry Implications
1. Security Industry - Improving facial recognition software and hardware to strengthen security features in public places.
2. Retail Industry - Creating better age-verification systems for all types of products, including alcohol and tobacco, in retail and convenience stores.
3. Vending Machine Industry - Developing intelligent vending machines that rely on biometric data and advanced algorithms to prevent fraudulent transactions.
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