iPhone 8 face recognition feature to work in ‘millionths of a second’

The facial recognition system for the upcoming iPhone 8 will reportedly be measured in ‘millionths of a second,’ according to a report by 9 to 5 Mac.

The news follows previous reports that Apple’s new 3-D face scanning feature would replace its existing fingerprint recognition login for both unlock and Apple Pay authorization.

Some have questioned the face recognition system’s ability to authorize Apple Pay transactions since the device will typically be positioned in front of the payment terminal at an oblique angle. However, the mobile device is said to allow face identification even when it is held flat.

The Korea Herald pointed out that “the new facial recognition scanner with 3-D sensors can deeply sense a user’s face in the millionths of a second.”

Though the Korean publication has not provided a source for the information, it is likely that Samsung has the information since it is manufacturing the device’s OLED displays.

The system is also expected to use infrared sensors so that it is able to work in the dark and in low light, according to the WSJ.

Depth-sensing technology, or “structured light,” sprays thousands of tiny infrared dots across the face of the user or any other individual.

The camera then reads distortions within the field of dots to collect highly accurate depth information.

Since the device’s camera can view infrared, unlike the human eye, the system could ultimately allow the iPhone to unlock in a completely dark setting.

Article Topics

access control  |  Apple  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  iPhone