Gait-Recognition Technology Rolling Out in China

Latest version of gait-recognition technology rolls out in China; Limping won't fool it

Facial recognition has its limitations. Specifically, for those who are able to hide or disguise their facial features. Well tech companies are finding a way around that. It's called "gait-recognition technology". The way it works is the technology uses several metrics, such as the way one walks, "the angle of arm movements", body contour, and "toe-in" or "toe-out" gait.

Merriam-Webster definition of "Gait"

Leave it to China to be on one of the first (the first, maybe?) to be jumping on this tech. We've all heard about their social credit scoring program, and more recently it is rearing its ugly head, even preventing certain individuals from being able to travel.. it's supposed to limit one's access to loans and other financial services, etc.

Here's a brief summary about this gait-recognition tech:

It’s no secret that China is a big fan of facial recognition technology, but the system has its limitations, especially if people know to hide their faces. That’s where AI startup Watrix comes in. Rather than identifying someone by their features, its software uses gait recognition technology.

Don't try to limp.. it probably won't help (much):

It’s easy to imagine that changing walking styles or adding a limp would be enough to fool the system, but Huang says it isn’t that easy. “Covering your legs would reduce the recognition score but we analyze all of a person’s body [when evaluating walking style],” he explained.

The technology can identify people from 165 feet away with up to 94 percent accuracy. Watrix is in talks with a number of potential customers from around the world about its software, which it says can be combined with its facial recognition technology to improve results.

Some pretty impressive stats there. Alarming at the same time.

China doesn’t have the best record when it comes to respecting the privacy of its citizens, of course. The number of CCTV cameras are expected to increase to 400 million across the next couple of years, many of which feature some form of AI, including facial recognition. The country’s police have tested glasses with the technology embedded, and it’s even been used in schools to analyze students’ emotions. When it comes to jaywalking, however, facial recognition doesn’t always get it right.

How long before it's being used in the US? Or is it already...

I wonder if a pimp walk would fool the software?

And I'm also curious about the effectiveness of software in a dense urban environment. Can it detect a person in a large crowd of poeple?

I'm from the UK but remember seeing a BBC Science News piece on this in CCTV 10 - 15 years ago with 'gait-DNA' profiles being the objective of the 'function creep', pretty certain it's been on these shores a while.

EDIT: From same program - sounds like the US is/was far ahead of the UK.

Big Brother is watching us all

The US and UK governments are developing increasingly sophisticated gadgets to keep individuals under their surveillance. When it comes to technology, the US is determined to stay ahead of the game.
news.bbc.co.uk...

a reply to: FamCore


Maybe that's why muslim women cover themselves head to toe, it was a learned behaviour from the past to defeat ancient recognition software har har.

Embed Infra-Red LEDs into hats, glasses, and clothing, and the CCD sensors in the cameras will be blinded.

IR used to defeat CCTV

a reply to: timski

Thanks for the pro-tip tehehe

a reply to: bastion

I also remember seeing a documentary or report about this 7-8 years ago. It even showed the program tracking each person in real time with different colored lines showing their gait. Almost like a specific frequency or wavelength. Definitely not new technology... Scary though.