This is awkward. It appears that HP’s new webcams, which have facial-tracking software, can’t recognise black faces, as evidenced in this video.
HP has responded:
We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty “seeing” contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting.
[HP and Metafilter via The Daily What]
Joedy
December 22, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Ha ha, this happened on an episode of Better off Ted.
Report PermalinkWhere the motion tracking wouldnt recognise black people
Tyro
December 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Crazy. Just like an episode if ‘better off ted’ i watched recently. Where the security systems (doors/lights) were switched to face rec from motion detection. Sure enought hilarity ensured.
Report PermalinkRed T-Rex
December 22, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Like Veridian Dynamics (in Better Off Ted), HP needs to assign a white person to follow the black person around which would solve the problem.
BTW, this is one of the funniest episodes I have ever seen. Highly recommended.
Report PermalinkTB
December 23, 2009 at 7:18 PM
to be fair i have a HP Envy 15 laptop and its webcam follows me, im black.
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