Facial Recognition with and without Masks

Corsight AI received top rankings from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2020 Biometric Technology Rally, the company announced on 10 February.

Conducted by the DHS Science & Technology Directorate, the rally tested the ten leading facial recognition technology providers, assessing the degree to which matching algorithms successfully detect and identify individuals when wearing a mask.

Corsight AI received top marks in the category that tested facial recognition without the presence of masks (99.65%) and ranked second when masks were present (92.53%). According to the DHS report, the in-person event consisted of 10 days of human testing (582 diverse volunteers from 60 countries), with 60 facial recognition configurations that used six face and/or iris acquisition systems and 10 matching algorithms. Evaluations were based on the ability to reliably take images of the volunteers, both masked and unmasked, in addition to processing time and overall satisfaction.

The results “underscore Corsight’s ability to accurately identify individuals even under the most challenging conditions,” explained CEO Rob Watts. “Not only do these results substantiate our technology, but prove that facial recognition is a force for good. During this global pandemic, masks have become a societal norm, and facial recognition technology keeps those who may cause harm from hiding behind the masks. It is imperative that this technology is used to protect individuals around the world […] Reducing the need to remove a mask to accurately identify individuals is just one step in helping mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”