While the use of facial recognition in public space is causing more and more concerns, Outsight has developed a technology allowing to recognize a person who does not have a mask from another who wears it, while guaranteeing respect for privacy.
" We have started to develop our technology for the automotive industry, with first applications for Faurecia, targeting the autonomous vehicle market ," explains Raoul Bravo, president and co-founder of Outsight. Faced with the Coronavirus epidemic and the emergence of new imperatives, the start-up has upgraded its “semantic 3D” camera to adapt it to these new needs. Its “autonomous laser” allows “ to identify and follow characteristics linked to individuals, such as the non-wearing of a mask ”. Outsight technology begins to be deployed by ADP, in terminal 2 E at Roissy.
" Our technology is used to understand how flows of people move, where are the congestion points ", explains Raoul Bravo. In fact, applications go beyond detecting the wearing of a mask. This technology makes it possible to find objects or people with a given characteristic in a crowd, in this case, the absence of a mask. It is also used to detect queues and support ADP in its efforts to make passenger movements in the terminals easier. " Our laser cameras can take on other functions, such as taking temperatures, " adds Raoul Bravo.
Respect for privacy
Another special feature of the Outsight Laser is that it respects privacy. Indeed, it is a laser and not a camera. Faces are therefore not recognized. There is no constitution of image banks, nor of risks of invasion of the private life. " It is not a camera, the laser does not recognize people, " insists Raoul Bravo. A camera captures light while laser technology emits light. It works like a radar - or more precisely a lidar - which analyzes the shapes by ricochet of the waves emitted.
The start-up now aims to expand its field of action. It has received expressions of interest from many transport operators, mainly abroad. " Our technology is particularly suitable for the management of trains and metros, " adds Raoul Bravo. What give some start-up development prospects. Founded just over a year ago, it now employs thirty-five people.
