Google has this week quietly acquired PittPatt, the seven-year-old facial recognition company which was started by three “image analysis” and “pattern recognition” specialists from Carnegie Mellon University.
No details have been released about the purchase by either side. But the new facial recognition tools the company has created will be a perfect fit for Google’s new social networking service Google+, recently launched under invitation only.
The software which has been developed by PittPatt is already used in a number of well-known products at Google including its Image Search, YouTube, and Picasa products.
Integration with Google Products
The acquisition of PittPatt is expected to enhance Google’s existing suite of products significantly. For instance, in Google Image Search, the facial recognition technology can help in identifying and categorizing images more accurately, making search results more relevant and user-friendly. On YouTube, this technology can be used to automatically tag people in videos, making it easier for users to find content featuring specific individuals. Picasa, Google’s photo-sharing and storage service, can benefit from improved facial recognition for better photo organization and tagging.
Moreover, the technology could be integrated into Google Goggles, an image recognition mobile app that allows users to search the web using pictures taken from their mobile devices. By incorporating PittPatt’s advanced facial recognition capabilities, Google Goggles could offer more precise and useful search results, enhancing the overall user experience.
Potential Applications and Future Prospects
The potential applications of PittPatt’s technology extend beyond Google’s current product lineup. For example, in the realm of mobile applications, facial recognition can be used for enhanced security features such as unlocking devices or authorizing transactions. This could be particularly useful in the development of future Android devices, providing users with a seamless and secure way to interact with their gadgets.
In addition to security, facial recognition technology can be employed in augmented reality (AR) applications. Imagine an AR app that can recognize faces in real-time and provide relevant information about the person, such as their social media profiles or recent activities. This could revolutionize the way we interact with the world around us, making information more accessible and personalized.
The PittPatt website explains:
At Google, computer vision technology is already at the core of many existing products (such as Image Search, YouTube, Picasa, and Goggles), so it’s a natural fit to join Google and bring the benefits of our research and technology to a wider audience. We will continue to tap the potential of computer vision in applications that range from simple photo organization to complex video and mobile applications.
The acquisition also opens up possibilities for new innovations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. By leveraging PittPatt’s expertise in image analysis and pattern recognition, Google can further advance its AI capabilities, leading to smarter and more intuitive products and services.
In conclusion, Google’s acquisition of PittPatt marks a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to enhance its product offerings with cutting-edge facial recognition technology. As this technology becomes more integrated into Google’s ecosystem, users can expect improved functionality, security, and convenience across a wide range of applications. The future looks promising as Google continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with computer vision and AI.
Source: PittPatt : TFTS
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