Security cameras in Moscow get real-time facial recognition

Moscow is deploying a video analysis system that can recognize live faces on images via security cameras in the city. According to the company that developed the system, it is the largest of its kind.

The technique is called FindFace and was developed by NtechLab. Although it is not known how many cameras are connected, the company’s chief executive Alex Minin tells Forbes that the facial recognition system in Moscow is the largest in the world in terms of recognizing faces live. The technology could function in combination with hundreds of thousands of cameras.

The technique works on the basis of neural networks and, according to the makers, does not need to be trained on databases with images. NtechLab claims to have worked on the technology for two years. The system can match a face via live images with that of a criminal in a police photo database. If so, agents will be notified via the FindFace app.

NtechLab would also have a prototype of smart glasses in which the technology is integrated. Officers would then receive notifications while walking through the city as soon as criminals’ faces come into view. FindFace started out as a consumer app that could automatically match faces in photos to profiles on the Russian social media site VKontakte.

Since then, NtechLab has focused on the business market. For the agreement with Moscow, the company would have received at least 2.9 million euros. In the Russian media, among others, Vedomosti writes about the system. Earlier this week it was announced that the police in London will be using live facial recognition.