Evidently HP don't have black people testing their software
Mikey 2 commentsExplain this one. HP's new webcams with facial tracking technology don't seem to work on Black people.
The video demonstrated below clearly shows this to be the case, as the gentleman states:
I think my blackness is interfering with the computers ability to follow me.
HP have responded.
We are working with our partners to learn more. The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe that the camera might have difficulty "seeing" contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting.
While I don't think this is a case of racist software, it's still pretty embarrassing or HP.
"I think my blackness is interfering with the computers ability to follow me."
This makes the story worth it for me. I love his reaction-- understanding and humored. Major props for him.
The Movie Whore
Sunday 27th December 2009 | 12:42 PMWhat is funny is that a TV show here in the states called Better off Ted just did an episode like this a few months ago where the facial recognition technology to open doors and elevators would not recognize black people. It was one of the fumiest things as the company hired white people to follow the black people around dso they could use the elevator and get into their labs.