Paravision moves computer vision, facial recognition to the edge with latest product releases

Moving AI inferencing for biometric applications to the edge will enable increased efficiency and usability at lower cost, for example. Vendors are also citing enhanced security and privacy protections as benefits. Another key benefit to the current edge computing paradigm is enhanced programmability, which is a factor in several of Paravision’s announcements. 

Paravision has released new software development kits (SDKs) for designing and deploying embedded facial recognition systems based on its edge AI (artificial intelligence) technology. The new toolkits released support facial recognition functions, including face detection, landmark detection, image quality assessment, liveness and anti-spoofing, template creation, and 1:1 or 1:N face matching. These functions can be integrated in a hybrid architecture that combines edge and centralized cloud processing where functions such as biometric matching galleries could be too large for on-device storage. 

In edge computing, container technology is a key component used for deploying applications. Paravision has developed a new version of its Streaming Container technology to deliver its facial recognition engine on a new Docker container-based system. Paravision Streaming Container 5 is said to offer enhanced efficiency and accuracy in processing of standard IP video feeds. The software can enable multi-factor authentication or biometric identification for access control or complementary video security applications, the company said. One such capability that has been added: advanced face tracking, which Paravision said improves the ability to continue following faces through a video stream even if they are momentarily blocked or leave the frame.  

Extending beyond application in cameras and edge gateways is also part of Paravision’s announcement. The company now offers a complete facial recognition SDK for Android to enable the fast development of mobile applications such as customer onboarding applications, government identity programs (think ruggedized tablets durable tablets used at airport security checkpoints, for example), point-of-sale or airport kiosks, and next-generation access control devices, the company said.  

Facial recognition is one of the main applications people identify with biometric identification; Paravision has added capabilities with its Person Detection system. These capabilities, offered through an SDK, can complement its facial recognition technology with the ability to establish and track occupancy, attributes, or actions of people in a given field of view or physical space. In other words, they can be used to detect the presence and location of people without necessarily identifying who they are. Worker safety applications such as tracking an employee around a facility preventing access to hazardous areas where machinery such as forklifts are operating. 

“Edge AI needs to take into account not only the software toolsets – and we’ve put a lot work into making those easy to use – but also things like hardware reference designs.” Paravision Chief Product Officer Joey Pritikin told Biometric Update in an interview. 

In September, Paravision introduced toolkits that are compatible with a wide range of operating systems and chip designs, including Embedded Linux with both Ambarella and Nvidia, Linux and Windows with Intel, and Android with ARM. The toolkits also support various programming languages, including C++ on Embedded Linux, Linux, and Windows, Python on Linux and Windows, and Kotlin on Android. 

Article Topics

Android  |  application development  |  computer vision  |  EdgeAI  |  facial recognition  |  Nvidia  |  object detection  |  Paravision  |  SDK