5G edge computing platform and facial recognition technology unveiled

A multi-access edge computing (MEC) platform and facial recognition technology has been jointly unveiled by Intel Corp, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, and Asia Pacific Telecom in Taiwan, the Taipei Times reports.

The platform is the result a collaboration on 5G technology between the companies, after Intel and Hon Hai signed a memorandum of understanding to develop 5G network infrastructure.

“The technologies are applicable to a wide range of scenarios, such as a smarter shopping experience in department stores, smart security for home and companies, smart medical services and more,” said Hon Hai business group president and APT chairman Lu Fang-ming in a news conference, according to the Times.

Hon Hai provided facial recognition hardware and worked with Intel on the platform’s development, and APT provided the network connectivity. Hon Hai has been using facial recognition technology to control door access at two of its plants for over a year, the companies said.

Lu also provided a use-case example for the facial recognition technology in which a department store can instantly access a customer’s purchase history or alert staff of a VIP customer, and APT is in talks with domestic retailers about adopting the platform and facial recognition technology.

By moving part of the processing workload closer to users, the edge computing architecture provides the high-bandwidth, low-latency network access necessary for real-time facial recognition, and is capable of handling the intensive data requirements of a 5G environment. Intel visual cloud division general manager Lynn Comp said the MEC platform is a foundation for a 5G environment.

In January, Intel and ZTE announced a breakthrough in deep learning and convolutional neural networks which enables fast facial recognition with high theoretical accuracy.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  biometrics at the edge  |  edge computing  |  facial recognition  |  Intel  |  platform  |  Taiwan