The US Army is a unit that advances at an exponential rate, developing new technologies for its soldiers every day. From creating an AI to control drones, to providing an AI “teammate” to soldiers on the battlefields.
Now, with the advancement in machine learning, the US military plans to develop a wearable camera device with facial recognition technology that can identify a face from a kilometer away.
The project, Advanced remote tactical facial recognition technology, started in 2016. It is under the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the unit unveiled a working prototype device in December 2019. According to SOCOM, research for the technology is still ongoing.
Advanced remote tactical facial recognition technology
The company behind the development of the technology is a firm known as Secure Planet, which is the same company responsible for providing various security solutions to the US government as well as industries and other commercial customers. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the company developed an Android and iOS-based facial recognition app called TacID Mobile. In fact, they also have a Windows and Linux version of the app called TacID Workstation.
Although recent developments in facial recognition technology have been tremendous, it still seems something impossible to capture a face that is 1 km away. Also, identifying that face clearly will be difficult. Not to mention that you would need huge lenses and a great level of stabilization for the camera. Theoretically, atmospheric turbulence can also be a problem for the device.
For now, the company has not yet revealed details about the technology it is using. However, it will be using a neural network to distort a face. This will allow facial recognition technology to work and identify facial features more efficiently.
With this technology in hand, the US military can identify targets without getting close to them. They can avoid the risk of missing high-value targets. However, with the looming privacy concerns of facial recognition technology, it will be difficult for the military to put it into practice immediately.