Psychologists from the University of Stirling are set to play a central role in a £6m study to develop next-generation facial recognition technology.
The five-year programme will bring university research teams from across the UK, together with the Home Office and industry experts.
They will examine how facial recognition can improve global security and trade.
Stirling scientists will offer their knowledge regarding facial perception.
Professor Peter Hancock, from the university's psychology department, will be the leader of the Stirling team, investigating how people recognize familiar faces.
The professor previously helped develop “EvoFIT” – a facial recognition system used by police forces around the world.
Implications for private life
Professor Hancock said: «People are unexpectedly inadequate at recognizing faces they do not know, even professionals, such as passport inspectors, have difficulty matching people with their photos.
«But we are much better than machines at recognizing familiar faces and the challenge we have taken on is to gain an understanding of what the process is that allows us to do this.”
The project will also examine the privacy implications of technology.
Global security is the "driving force" for the study, but we hope there will be commercial benefits as well.
Professor Hancock added: «In the future it could be your bank that automatically recognizes you at the cash register and there will no longer be a need for PIN numbers.
«The BBC is also interested in how it could have more effective access to its massive archive.”
The program starts in January.
