Toshiba Demos Facial Recognition for Cars
Toshiba's facial recognition technology isn't new, but up until now, it hasn't been used in motor vehicles. During a recent demo, Toshiba showed how its system would allow drivers to control the A/C or change radio stations just by a glance, as well as alert distracted drivers who take their eyes off the road for an extended time.
Making all this possible is a camera that sits above the steering wheel. The camera can identify and map the driver's facial expressions, including head movement, eye direction, and blinks. Eventually this could even be used to alert drowsy drivers, Toshiba says.
It might be awhile before you get to actually play with this stuff, however, Toshiba says it doesn't currently have any immediate plans to commercialize its system or work with any auto makers, and instead is focusing on further developing the technology.

Image Credit: Toshiba via Engadget
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DarrenGantz
May 26, 2011 at 6:10am
I work for a used car dealers West Palm Beach and I have heard about this technology recently like a viral! Everyone coming to the dealership asks about it! Breathe analyzers for people that drive drunk and facial recognition for people that don't want to get their car stolen; this is the future!
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Loraine_Burchell
May 20, 2011 at 7:26am
That is what I call technology! This is amazing. I wonder what else they are going to come up with next. I wish I could use this system for at least one of my two conversion vans. It would be very relaxed when going to camping. I'm joking, I know that we won't use that too soon, but anyway it's great! It's the first time I read about something like that.
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NeilKirchoff
May 16, 2011 at 12:59am
We all know that this technology isn't new but it would be helpful. I read an article about a device that can detect your alcohol consumption and won't start the car if it detects too much. I bought a car from an used cars Ft Lauderdale shop that had this device on it. Imagine my surprise when I tried to drive a little drunk.
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Ella Rochelle
May 03, 2011 at 5:31am
I read an article about an application that could recognize one's honest smile and afterward transpose it into the Y!Messenger window or in the email every time that person beamed. So yes, the technology Toshiba uses isn't new at all, but what's great is that the company has thought of using it as an anti-theft program. It's too bad that I had to leave my car at a car donation fair, because I would have very much liked to use it.
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CyLindsey
April 04, 2011 at 12:25am
This is good news from Toshiba. A friend of mine, who works at a Jeep dealers Des Moines service used to told me that this innovation will reduce the number of the accidents, because the drivers will be more careful. I imagine that Toshiba is taking a part of the great responsibility with this technology.
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NeilWechsler
March 15, 2011 at 8:04am
Indeed, what is wrong with voice control commands? Me and my fellows Subaru dealers Philadelphia can agree to this being nice technology, but I think it is too expensive for what it does. We will wait and see if this system does a lot more than a voice controlled system.
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I Jedi
May 27, 2009 at 2:05pm
As long as it doesn't have the LOL technology that made headlines a few weeks ago with the idea of implementing a speed-lock on cars, so that they couldn't exceed a certain speed.















