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
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 10:42 AMHa ha, this happened on an episode of Better off Ted.
Where the motion tracking wouldnt recognise black people
Tyro
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 12:05 PMCrazy. 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.
Red T-Rex
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 1:10 PMLike 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.
TB
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 7:18 PMto be fair i have a HP Envy 15 laptop and its webcam follows me, im black.