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Met police to release more body-worn cam footage

Met police to share more bodycam footage online The Metropolitan Police says it is changing its policy on releasing more body-worn video from officers "where it can improve transparency and trust in policing". The force said the move would "back our own officers and help people understand the very challenging role they perform". Until now, body-worn video has only typically been published after the conclusion of any criminal proceedings, meaning the public was only seeing a "partial picture" from footage shared online by others. Civil liberties groups have long-standing concerns police can misuse body-worn cameras by switching them off during incidents or failing to disclose footage, raising questions regarding accountability. The Met said it released footage of the arrest of the suspect in the Golders Green knife attacks in April "in response to a narrative growing online which criticised the force used by officers, who were bravely apprehending an armed man". It added: "It was put into use again following the significant public order policing operation last Saturday, where we were able to provide an insight into the abuse officers faced from protesters and the challenges involved in intervening in dense crowds to make arrests." London's police force began an initial pilot of 500 body-worn cameras in May 2014, with a mass rollout to thousands of officers in October 2016. Human rights advocacy group Liberty has warned that UK police forces already use earlier versions of facial recognition technology, which combine footage recorded on body-worn cameras with software to provide retrospective facial recognition searches. A BBC investigation in 2023 also uncovered more than 150 reports of camera misuse by forces in England and Wales. In one case, siblings faced a two-year legal battle over footage showing officers' use of force against them during a Black Lives Matter rally in London.

Liveness detection tender from Australian Tax Office updated with new info

Liveness detection tender from Australian Tax Office updated with new info The Australia Taxation Office has updated its Request for Information (RFI) on a potential biometric liveness detection tool to support onboarding and identity verification for the myID App, which powers the country’s national digital ID. The update from the ATO, which manages myID within the Australian Governments Digital ID System (AGDIS), answers a host of questions regarding the tender, which closes this week, on May 28. The RFI seeks suppliers with identity verification expertise, particularly related to liveness detection and facial image capture, biometric matching and credential validation, as the ATO seeks to replace a contract signed with iProov in 2021. Regarding specific certification and the requirement for solutions to be tested by “a qualified third-party biometric testing entity experienced in ISO/IEC 30107,” the document says “the solution must have completed PAD testing using any ISO accredited biometric testing laboratory.” Individual labs are not favored. “Respondents should provide evidence of the testing body’s qualifications, accreditation scope, test methodology, version of the standard used, PAD assurance level assessed, and any limitations or exclusions in the test report.” The product must come as a SaaS solution, and support peak workloads of 10,000 verifications per hour with 95th percentile responses within one second. But, ATO says, the peak load requirement “should be treated as a combination of projected and observed load,” as applied to enrolments, reverifications and account recovery events. The ATO can’t rightly say what kind of numbers they’re looking at in the long term. “Forecasted growth of IP3 verifications” – the next security level ATO is pursuing – “and re-verification events cannot be provided at this stage. Respondents should provide a Software Capacity Plan and strategies for scaling that references peak load,” documenting assumptions, scalable architecture, and capacity headroom, while

NTSB takes public docket system offline over UPS MD-11 cockpit audio concern

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has temporarily taken its public docket system offline after learning that publicly released accident materials may allow people to reconstruct approximations of cockpit voice recorder audio. The agency said advances in “image recognition and computational methods” have allowed individuals to recreate approximations of CVR audio from sound spectrum imagery released as part of NTSB investigations. The issue includes material released in the ongoing investigation into the crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky, in November 2025. “The NTSB does not release cockpit audio recordings,” the agency said in a statement posted to its docket status page. “Federal law prohibits such public release due to the highly sensitive nature of verbal communications inside the cockpit. The NTSB takes these privacy restrictions seriously.” The NTSB said its docket system will remain temporarily unavailable while it examines the scope of the issue and evaluates possible solutions. The agency said it hopes to restore access “as soon as possible.” The issue does not appear to involve written cockpit voice recorder transcripts alone. A transcript provides the words, timing and some sound descriptions from a cockpit recording, but it does not contain the cockpit audio itself. The concern cited by the NTSB centers on sound spectrum imagery released in public investigation materials. Sound spectrum imagery is a visual representation of audio data. Investigators use it to help identify sounds and establish precise timing for events captured on a recording. Because that imagery is derived from the underlying CVR audio, modern image-recognition and AI computational tools may be able to use it to reconstruct an approximation of the protected cockpit audio. That creates a problem for the NTSB because federal law prohibits the public release of cockpit voice recordings, even though the agency may release written transcripts and factual

A survival guide to the words behind the AI boom

It's almost impossible to ignore AI. That doesn't mean it's always easy to understand. From agentic AI to UBI, tech CEOs, Wall Street, and politicians increasingly sound like they are speaking another language. The terms seem to change almost as quickly as AI models themselves advance. Even if you don't use AI, chances are your bank, your doctor, the streaming service you're using, and maybe even your car do. Here's a list of the people, companies, and terms you need to know to talk about AI, in alphabetical order. The AI terms you need to know Agentic: A type of artificial intelligence that can make proactive, autonomous decisions with limited human input and is capable of operating autonomously around the clock. Popularized by services like OpenClaw, the proliferation of these tools is viewed as the biggest moment in generative AI since the release of ChatGPT. AGI: "Artificial general intelligence," or the ability of artificial intelligence to perform complex cognitive tasks such as displaying self-awareness and critical thinking, the way humans do. Crossing this theoretical threshold is the mission of many in the industry. Alignment: A field of AI safety research that aims to ensure that the goals, decisions, and behaviors of AI systems are consistent with human values and intentions. Bias: Because AI models are trained on data created by humans, they can also adopt the same fallible human biases present in that data. There are a number of different types of bias that AI models can succumb to, including prejudice bias, measurement bias, cognitive bias, and exclusion bias — all of which can distort the results. Capability overhang: The term, credited to Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott, for the gap between what AI models are capable of and what real-world applications can currently utilize. ChatGPT: OpenAI's signature chatbot

Plantalk Unveils Plantiemoji, the AI-Powered Emotional Plant Interface, Now Live on Kickstarter

Plantalk Unveils Plantiemoji, the AI-Powered Emotional Plant Interface, Now Live on Kickstarter The World's First Plant Fitness Tracker Combines Real-Time Emoji Status, AI Diagnostics, and 4-in-1 Sensing to Give Plants a Voice HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / May 25, 2026 / Plantalk today announced the launch of Plantiemoji, an AI-powered plant care device that gives your plant a 'voice' through expressive emojis. Debuting today on Kickstarter, the device aims to transform plant care from a guessing game into an interactive conversation. Plantiemoji is an AI-driven emotional interface that turns complex environmental data into intuitive visual feedback. By translating metrics like soil moisture, light, temperature, and humidity into emojis displayed on a detachable screen, it makes plant care simple, intuitive, and engaging. For those interested in securing the upcoming Kickstarter launch offer, a limited early reservation option is now available ahead of launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plantalk/plantiemoji-your-plants-first-fitness-tracker Redefining Human-Plant Interaction: From Data to Emotion In a world of ubiquitous smart devices, plant care remains stubbornly reliant on guesswork. For many, knowing exactly when a plant needs water, more light, or a change of environment is a constant challenge. Plantiemoji solves this by transforming complex environmental data into expressive, emoji-like visual cues. These real-time signals allow users to instantly understand their plant's condition and know precisely when to step in. By introducing emotional feedback, Plantiemoji reimagines plant care as an interactive dialogue-where plants are no longer silent decor, but expressive companions. An AI-Driven Plant Care System Plantiemoji integrates environmental sensing with artificial intelligence to deliver a comprehensive plant care solution. Inserted into the soil, the device continuously monitors key parameters including temperature, humidity, light, and soil moisture. Through a connected mobile app, users can identify plant species using image recognition. Once the plant is identified, the system builds a specific profile and activates its

Forget <b>facial recognition</b>, WiFi can accurately tell who you are, researchers say

Worse than a facial recognition system? - Researchers have demonstrated that routers can identify individuals using wireless signals. - A person can be identified even without a device or with their phone turned off. - A router could become a covert monitoring tool, making this surveillance method both invisible and difficult to detect. - Such a method raises urgent questions about privacy regulations similar to those now being debated around facial recognition. Using wireless signals and artificial intelligence could turn a router into a monitoring system, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have found. The study also revealed that a person can still be identified even if their smartphone is shut down or they don’t carry it with them at all. It’s enough that they’re surrounded by other people whose devices are communicating with each other. “By observing the propagation of radio waves, we can create an image of the surroundings and of persons who are present,” explained Professor Thorsten Strufe from KIT’s Institute of Information Security and Dependability. The expert compared it to a camera, but the difference is that “radio waves instead of light waves are used for the recognition.” The research reveals that it’s possible to turn any router into a surveillance device, raising serious privacy concerns. “If you regularly pass by a café that operates a WiFi network, you could be identified there without noticing it and be recognized later, for example, by public authorities or companies,” shared Julian Todt, a PhD researcher at KIT. How does surveillance through WiFi work? While there are different types of surveillance technologies available for quick identification, what makes wireless network surveillance stand out is that it’s almost everywhere and doesn’t raise suspicion because you can’t really see it. This surveillance method also doesn’t require any extra hardware,

MNPD launching drone first responder trial program in Madison

MNPD launching drone first responder trial program in Madison Metro Nashville Police are preparing to launch a new Drone as First Responder trial program in Madison aimed at helping officers respond to emergencies faster. The limited trial program begins Tuesday, May 26, and will operate out of the Madison Precinct. Three drones stationed on the roof of the precinct will be able to respond within a two-mile radius to emergency calls, active criminal investigations, missing person cases, and major traffic crashes. Police say the drones can often arrive at scenes within one to two minutes, giving officers critical real-time information before they arrive. “The major benefit is the time it takes to arrive on scene, it's like a minute to 2 minutes, they don't have to deal with traffic they can get to a scene and give you all the information that you need quickly,” Chief John Drake said. The drones will be operated remotely by four FAA-certified officers from the department’s Community Safety Center who received specialized drone training. MNPD says departments across the country — including Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Charlotte — already use similar programs. MNPD emphasizes program is NOT surveillance Police say the drones are not intended for random neighborhood patrols or general surveillance. Officials stressed the drones will only be used in response to specific calls for service where aerial views could improve safety and decision-making during emergencies. MNPD also says: - The drones do not use facial recognition software - The drones cannot be weaponized under state law and department policy - Flights will be publicly logged online - Non-evidence video footage will be permanently deleted after seven days Police say access to drone footage will be limited to trained personnel and investigators handling cases connected to the footage. The trial program is

Capitalizing on a 37.8% CAGR : Why the Deep Learning Market is a USD 406 Billion ...

Capitalizing on a 37.8% CAGR : Why the Deep Learning Market is a USD 406 Billion Megatrend by 2032 WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE, DE, UNITED STATES, May 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, âDeep Learning Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Component (Hardware, Software, Service), by Application (Image recognition, Signal recognition, Data mining, Others), by Industry Vertical (Security, Marketing, Automotive, Retail and E-Commerce, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Law, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032." Market Size : The global deep learning market size was valued at USD 16.9 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach USD 406 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 37.8% from 2023 to 2032. Download Sample Report (Get Full Insights in PDF - 350 Pages) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5815 Deep learning is a technology that directs computers to process data according to the human perspective. The models of deep learning can analyze complex patterns, texts, sounds, and other data to produce accurate insights and predictions. In addition, it is a subset of machine learning and artificial intelligence, that focuses on modeling and stimulating the behavior of human brain neural networks. In deep learning, large datasets are used to train artificial neural networks to carry out tasks without explicit programming. Furthermore, the technology is used in computer vision, speech recognition, natural language processing (NLP), and others. Moreover, various trends are associated with deep learning technology such as transfer learning (pre-trained models), generative adversarial networks (GANs), self-supervised learning and others. Using pre-trained models that have been optimized for tasks performed on the base of huge datasets is called transfer learning. With a smaller dataset, this strategy enhances performance while accelerating training. In addition, the self-supervised model of deep learning helps in generating own

NTT Docomo launches AI bear detection trial using mobile base stations

Complete profile Before downloading the whitepaper, we would like to ask you to complete your profile with company and position. After confirming you will receive the white paper. Complete profile Before downloading the whitepaper, we would like to ask you to complete your profile with company and position. After confirming you will receive the white paper.

London Police Expand Live <b>Facial Recognition</b> Use as Privacy Debate Intensifies

Breaking News Metropolitan Police is accelerating the use of live facial recognition technology across London, arguing the system has become a “groundbreaking” policing tool, even as civil liberties groups warn it risks normalising mass biometric surveillance in public spaces. The debate has intensified following a recent High Court ruling that cleared the way for wider deployment of the technology after a legal challenge brought by campaign group Big Brother Watch failed last month. During a recent deployment in Victoria, central London, police used temporary facial recognition cameras to scan passers-by against a watchlist of roughly 17,000 individuals compiled primarily from custody images. Within a short period, officers stopped multiple individuals after the system generated alerts, including one man later taken into custody. The Metropolitan Police says live facial recognition, or LFR, has helped officers arrest around 2,500 wanted individuals since the start of 2024, including suspects linked to violent and sexual offences. Lindsey Chiswick, who leads the force’s live facial recognition programme, described the technology as transformative for policing in the capital. Speaking during the Victoria operation, she cited cases involving robbery, rape, strangulation and convicted sex offenders identified through the system. The technology works by converting faces captured through live video feeds into biometric templates and comparing them in real time against police watchlists. According to the Met, non-matching facial data is deleted immediately after processing. Police say the system has demonstrated high levels of accuracy. Chiswick said that among more than 3 million faces scanned in the 12 months through last September, the technology generated only 10 false alerts, none of which resulted in arrests. But critics argue the core issue extends beyond technical accuracy to broader questions around civil liberties, privacy, and state surveillance. Campaigners say live facial recognition effectively treats every member of the public as

SASSA'S FACE PALM

SYSTEM HICCUPS: Sassa Image: Ian Landsberg SASSA's new biometric verification drive has led to the suspension of 68 000 grants. Since the implementation of the system in September 2025, the Department of Social Development has confirmed a massive R302 billion allocation for the 2026/27 financial year, with R293 billion directed towards social grants. The biometric rollout, which now spans Sassa’s 432 offices, forms part of a broader national effort to prevent identity fraud and ensure that only qualifying beneficiaries remain on the system. By March 2026, about one million new applications had already been processed through the system. The figures were disclosed in a parliamentary reply by Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe before her dismissal by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. According to Tolashe, the number of social grant beneficiaries biometrically verified at local offices since the implementation of compulsory biometric enrolment for new applicants in September 2025 is 997 379, with monthly figures showing steady uptake across the period. While the rollout has expanded, concerns continue over access challenges, system failures and growing pressure at Sassa service points. The department confirmed that suspensions and lapses linked to non-compliance are tracked quarterly, with 67 868 grants suspended in the third quarter alone, alongside thousands of additional cases that later lapsed across reporting periods. Tolashe explained that enforcement follows a structured process, stating that “a grant is suspended two months after a beneficiary was notified to conduct a review and has not yet done so. ''If after suspension, the beneficiary still does not come forward to conduct the review, the grant will lapse after one month’s notice of such.” Child Support Grants accounted for the highest number of affected beneficiaries at 37 825, followed by Old Age Grants at 20 429 and Disability Grants at 7 908, as income testing

Disney's <b>facial recognition</b> lawsuit puts biometric AI startups on notice

Disney's lawsuit is not just a theme park privacy fight. It is a warning to every company treating biometric AI as a faster checkout lane instead of a regulated identity system. Disneyland's new face-scanning entrance system has moved from convenience feature to courtroom test in less than a month, and that is exactly why founders should pay attention. A proposed $5 million class action accuses The Walt Disney Co. of using facial recognition at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure without giving guests a meaningful chance to understand or avoid the collection of biometric data. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York after Riverside County resident Summer Christine Duffield visited the Anaheim parks with her children on May 10. The complaint alleges Disney collected facial data from adults and minors without adequate consent, notice, and transparency. Disney has not been found liable, and the case is still at the allegation stage, but the claim is already useful because it shows where the next wave of AI risk is likely to land. As the Los Angeles Times reported this week, Disney rolled out the technology across Disneyland Resort in late April to help verify tickets and prevent fraud. Disney's own privacy notice says the system uses a camera image taken at the entrance, compares it with an image saved when a guest first used a ticket or pass, converts those images into numerical values, and deletes those values within 30 days unless they are needed for legal or fraud-prevention purposes. The company also says participation is optional and that non-facial-recognition lanes are available. That sounds like a compliance framework. The lawsuit argues it is not enough. That difference matters because most biometric disputes are not really about whether a company can make

On London's streets, <b>facial recognition</b> tests the balance between security and liberty

Tourists, shoppers and office workers in a busy London street on an ordinary weekday found themselves part of a digital identity check as live facial recognition cameras scanned faces against a police watchlist. The operation was an example of a technology the Metropolitan Police say is transforming policing, helping officers arrest around 2500 wanted people since the start of 2024, including suspects accused of violent and sexual offences. Critics, however, say live facial recognition undermines the presumption of innocence underpinning British law by treating every passer-by as a potential suspect. A court challenge brought by civil liberties campaigners and a community worker who had been wrongly identified failed last month, clearing the way for the technology's expanded use. In Victoria, central London, on a recent Monday few people appeared concerned by the temporary cameras, a police van and signs warning that live facial recognition was in operation. Within an hour, the system alerted an officer in the control van to a possible match. Local officers approached a man and questioned him briefly before letting him go. Police later said the alert related to court-imposed restrictions rather than an arrest warrant. About 30 minutes later came a second alert. A man in a grey hoodie, black baseball cap and blue trainers looked startled as two officers stopped him on the pavement. He was handcuffed and waited beside the road until a police van arrived to take him into custody. Police hail 'groundbreaking' technology Met Police director Lindsey Chiswick, who is the national and Met lead for live facial recognition, said the impact of the technology had been "groundbreaking" for policing in the capital, helping officers identify suspects accused of crimes including robbery, rape and strangulation. Speaking at the operation in Victoria, she cited a recent case involving a convicted paedophile who

MCPO pushes HD CCTV, <b>facial recognition</b> systems | The Freeman

MCPO pushes HD CCTV, facial recognition systems CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has urged the City Council to require business establishments to install high-definition closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras with facial recognition capabilities, saying the technology would significantly strengthen crime prevention and investigation efforts in the city. MCPO Director Police Col. Cirilo Acosta Jr. said the quality of CCTV footage plays a critical role in identifying suspects and tracking their movements, stressing that clearer and more advanced video systems could greatly improve law enforcement operations. Acosta said the proposal was in line with directives from Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Evangelista Abad, who encouraged the MCPO to seek the support of the City Council in modernizing the city’s surveillance requirements. He added that Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano had likewise directed local authorities to adapt to evolving technologies. “Our ordinance, I think, already needs to be modified. The suggestion of our regional director is to introduce new technology,” Acosta said. According to the police official, the city’s existing ordinance governing CCTV installation and regulation should be updated to accommodate emerging technologies and strengthen public safety measures. Among the proposed amendments is the inclusion of facial recognition systems, particularly in large commercial establishments. “For example, facial recognition should already be introduced so we can easily identify who entered a premises and determine whether any of them are persons of interest whenever a crime occurs,” Acosta explained. He noted that advanced surveillance systems would enable investigators to quickly identify individuals entering and leaving establishments, allowing authorities to trace suspects more efficiently. The MCPO is also encouraging private establishments to upgrade to high-definition CCTV cameras, saying poor image quality often hampers investigations. Aside from improving camera quality, Acosta emphasized the need to streamline police access to

Your Face as a Password: The Growing Risk Behind Biometric Security

This post is also available in: Facial recognition is quickly becoming part of everyday life. From unlocking phones to passing through airports or entering office buildings, systems that identify individuals by their facial features offer speed and convenience. But unlike passwords or ID cards, facial data introduces a fundamental problem: once compromised, it cannot be replaced. At the core of these systems are not actual images, but mathematical representations of a person’s face. These “templates” map key features, such as the distance between eyes or the shape of the jaw, and are used to verify identity when a face is scanned again. While this approach is more secure than storing raw photos, it is not immune to cyber threats. If these templates are stolen in a data breach, they effectively become permanent identifiers that can be reused without the individual’s knowledge. According to TechXplore, this risk is amplified by how facial recognition is deployed. Unlike fingerprints or iris scans, which typically require deliberate user interaction, facial data can be captured passively through cameras in public or semi-public spaces. Retail stores, airports, and event venues may collect and store this data, sometimes linking it to other databases. Over time, this can create persistent digital profiles tied to a person’s identity and movements. The implications go beyond privacy. If stolen biometric data is combined with other compromised information, such as email addresses or financial records, it can enable more advanced forms of identity fraud. Emerging technologies, including deepfakes and 3D facial modeling, may further increase the risk by allowing attackers to simulate a person’s appearance in systems that rely on facial verification. From a security and defense perspective, the widespread use of facial recognition presents both opportunities and vulnerabilities. While it can enhance surveillance and access control, it also creates high-value targets

8 Technologies That Work Like Magic, Explained

8 Technologies That Work Like Magic, Explained We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Some breakthrough technologies still feel like they were brought to life from fiction, even when they've been around for a while. That's because we learn to apply them in our daily routines through the apps and gadgets they power, but we never actually take the time to find out what makes these technologies tick. In this roundup of technologies with magic-like qualities, we aim to give a simplified explanation of how they work. This isn't to demystify them, as they will never fail to impress, but to better appreciate what lies beneath the software and hardware that use them. We discuss generative AI that makes images and videos, bone conduction headphones that let you hear music without blocking your ears, and robot vacuums that map your entire home so they know where to go and what to avoid. If you want to take a peek at what makes these technologies work like magic, read on and find out a bit more about the digital sorcery that give them life. Editing photos with AI Just like how wizards can summon creatures or make things vanish by chanting spells, you can now easily edit pictures using generative AI. With your choice of photo editing app, you can add or remove objects and adjust brightness, color, and other nuances. You'll be able to change backgrounds, erase photobombers, and make a gloomy day look sunny. These things take some time to do manually, but with AI, they're done in seconds. Like other AI deep learning models, generative AI that powers photo editing apps is trained on a massive volume of data. This enables AI to automate all kinds of tasks, and as learning continues, its accuracy and

Future Electronics Hosts Edge AI Technology Seminar Showcasing Next-Gen IC Solutions

Future Electronics recently hosted a one-day Edge AI Technology seminar in Long Island, bringing together leading semiconductor suppliers to showcase the latest AI-enabled sensors, microcontrollers, microprocessors, and neural processing units through expert presentations and live demonstrations. Melville, New York - May 23, 2026 - Future Electronics, a global leading distributor of electronic components, recently hosted a successful one-day seminar focused on the latest innovations in Edge AI technologies. The event brought together industry leaders including Infineon Technologies, NXP Semiconductors, Renesas Electronics Corporation, and STMicroelectronics to explore cutting-edge solutions for AI at the network edge. The seminar highlighted how Future Electronics enables access to advanced Edge AI solutions that are transforming what is possible at the device level. From vibration-based anomaly detection to real-time image recognition and on-device generative AI, attendees gained valuable insight into how modern applications can operate without reliance on cloud connectivity. Through a series of expert-led presentations and interactive demonstrations, Future Electronics showcased a wide range of solutions, including sensors, MCUs, MPUs, discrete NPUs, and software tools to ease model development and deployment. These technologies support increasingly complex and multimodal AI applications, such as vision-language systems capable of interpreting environments and enhancing safety across industries. In collaboration with its supplier partners, Future Electronics also demonstrated how integrated ecosystems—combining hardware, software, and development tools—help engineers accelerate design cycles and bring AI-enabled products to market more efficiently. Attendees explored solutions from Infineon's PSoC Edge platform, NXP's MCX, i.MX and Ara families, Renesas' RA and RZ series, and STMicroelectronics' iNEMO and STM32 portfolios. The full-day event featured technical sessions, networking opportunities, and live demos, allowing participants to engage directly with experts and gain exposure to the latest innovations shaping the future of embedded AI systems. The seminar concluded with a prize drawing. By hosting this event, Future Electronics reinforced its

Kurnool police trace missing persons using <b>facial</b>-<b>recognition</b> CCTV network, says SP

Kurnool district police are using CCTV cameras that scan and identify faces to trace missing persons, track criminals and recover stolen vehicles, Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil has said. Mr. Patil said about 15,000 analytics cameras had been installed across the State under the Andhra Pradesh FiberNet services, of which about 722 Matrix Smart Technology CCTV cameras were in Kurnool district. The cameras have facial recognition systems (FRS), automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and other analytic features. They are monitored from the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) control room in Amaravati through the CCTNS AP 360 app, and are linked to all district control rooms and police stations. “In a recent case of a missing person registered at the Kurnool Taluka police station, the missing individual was successfully located in Madanapalle. Similarly, in another case registered at the Peddakaduburu police station, the victim was located in Tirupati,” the SP said, adding that the missing persons were traced and handed over to their families. The FRS cameras scan faces and identify people by matching them against photographs stored in the police database. The Kurnool Police Command Control Room also gets immediate alerts from the cameras on the suspicious movements of property offenders, fugitives in criminal cases and people with a criminal record. The cameras have been installed at key locations such as bus stands, railway stations, major government offices, hospitals, temples, mosques, stadiums, market yards, shopping complexes and traffic junctions. The SP asked the public to file a complaint at the nearest police station immediately if a family member or vehicle went missing. Every complaint would be treated on priority and acted on at once, he said. Published - May 24, 2026 02:49 pm IST This is a premium article, available exclusively to subscribers. The Hindu delivers independent, credible journalism that

Women smile twice as much as men when driving, AI study suggests

Women smile twice as much as men when driving, AI study suggests Researchers used facial-recognition tech to track drivers’ expressions and found women clocked far more 'smiles per hour' than men. Women smile twice as much as men when driving, according to new research. Scientists used AI-powered facial-recognition technology to map 468 “landmarks” on the faces of 30 motorists, tracking small muscle contractions linked to joy or happiness. The results were converted into a “smiles per hour” (SPH) score. On average, women recorded 337.5 SPH while driving, compared with 171.4 for men. Cognitive scientist Dr Duncan Williams developed the metric using MediaPipe — a facial geometry framework developed by Google AI — to analyse involuntary emotional responses during real-world driving. The test was carried out as part of FIAT’s roll-out of SPH as a new way to assess its cars, with the Grande Panda averaging 258.1 SPH. Dr Duncan Williams said: “This study was designed to measure involuntary emotional response rather than performance. “By analysing changes across hundreds of facial landmarks in real-world driving conditions, we can detect genuine smiles that indicate authentic enjoyment. “Measuring these responses over time allows us to calculate a scientifically robust Smiles Per Hour score for each model.” SPH provides an additional way to understand the driving experience, based on how drivers genuinely feel behind the wheel. FIAT said the new metric is intended to reflect driving experience and emotional response rather than performance statistics, aligning with its Dolce Vita philosophy of celebrating joy, colour and optimism in everyday driving. The approach follows initiatives including the brand’s decision to stop producing grey cars. Alongside overall SPH, the study reported minimal difference in enjoyment between hybrid (257 SPH) and electric (259.5 SPH) driving. It also found colour had no impact on enjoyment, with scores remaining consistent