For now, it's your face that can be recognized, but soon it will be your likes, your purchase tendencies and even the way you walk, as 3D visualization and data abstraction software join forces for the new niche of image processing technology.
An example is a new software by UK-based Apical, called Spirit, which will soon be able to extract data on your habits and convert that into 3D visuals to be used by corporations and governments for everything from marketing decisions to surveillance operations.
Apical CEO and Co-founder Michael Tusch recently told Venture Beat that, while his company's software wont't be on the market until 2016, Spirit's data extracts will be used create 3D images that enable users to visually interpret buying habits, likes and dislikes and even detect if someone appears to be in a bad mood.
Other companies that are working on data extrapolation and visual interpretation include NEC, MorphoTrak, Cognitec and ZKTeco.
The Spirit software creates a model of people moving in space. "It's a kind of digital puppet," which "virtualizes raw image sensor data into a digital representation of all salient features."
Visual recognition software works on algorithms that compress data and the information is used to identify distinctive features like shape of chin, nose, and the contour of the eye sockets.
Visual recognition software is important for government work as well as commercial as in that it can identify faces from a variety of angles and it is not affected by changes in lighting.
While companies make deals with corporations for sales and marketing patterns, and governments for surveillance accuracy, visual recognition software can also be used to find missing children.
