Technology

New smart camera can reveal how happy you are

It was introduced as part of the agency’s first artificial intelligence initiative under its Smart Dubai strategy

News Desk March 11, 2019

New lenses can instantly capture facial expressions and determine how happy or frustrated customers are.PHOTO: AFP/FILE

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have installed new smart cameras to find out the mood of the customers at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) centres.

With the newest smart cameras in Dubai, the customers no longer need to rate their experience from 'one to five' or from 'happy to sad'. The new lenses can instantly capture facial expressions and determine how happy - or frustrated - customers are, Khaleej Times reported.

Smart cameras were introduced as part of the agency's first artificial intelligence (AI) initiative under its Smart Dubai strategy.

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"The initiative aims to measure customers' happiness through smart cameras that analyse the extent of their happiness," said Maher Shirah, director of smart services at the RTA's corporate technology support services sector.

"The technology analyses the facial expressions of customers - without saving images in respect of their privacy - before and after processing their transactions at the centre. Accordingly, the technology gives an instant and accurate indicator of their happiness."

The process assists in compiling reports about customers' experiences and enables decision-makers to take an appropriate action to improve the service if required.

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Manufactured in the UAE, the AI-powered cameras are "highly accurate", the RTA said. It can take snaps at a rate of 30 frames per second at a seven-metre range within an angle of 65 degrees. It also has an autofocus feature with no flash required and can minimise the light on people's faces, allowing for a more accurate reading of their expressions.

After an image is captured, the system sends detailed reports through a dashboard that generates real-time updates on customer happiness. It also sends instant SMS and e-mail notifications when the happiness rating at any centre drops from pre-defined levels.

The article originally appeared in Khaleej Times