HP computers are racist

[Russ]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8429634.stm

Well they are aren't they? Refusing to see black people? Failing to function based purely on someone's skin colour. Shame on them.

[Salu]

Surely no more than any other camera is.

Isn't it the level of light that's the issue...black is harder to detect than white whether it's on a face or elsewhere..

[Flyboy]

Hmm...I have trouble in assuming that this is deliberate. I would say that it is a technical issue in terms of lighting and contrast. I also notice that there doesn't seem many others who have had this problem. Perhaps it is just "Desi's" face the computer has a problem with. Also are there any other white faces that have this issue?

[soicky]

Computer says no.

[Delta Whiskey]

I think it's lack of direct light that is causing the problem in the video, there is little or no light falling on the guys face. AFAIK the software use differences in contrast to identify faces in the frame and there is hardly any present. I would guess that an autofocus system on a camera would struggle to lock on in such conditions.

[idi banashapan]

I get the impression he is joking about when he says it's 'racist', rather than the fact the camera is unable to pick up defining features due to the lighting conditions, but all the same... please don't let this be another excuse to play the race card.... whatever next?

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Bender

I get the impression he is joking about when he says it's 'racist', rather than the fact the camera is unable to pick up defining features due to the lighting conditions,

That's certainly how I meant it.

Originally Posted by Russ

That's certainly how I meant it.

Yeah, just wait for the law suit

[webcrawler2050]

I don't think they are "racist" I think thats a bit bold. I think it's a geniune mistake on HP's part but Racist is just somebody taking the biscuit and or the "press" making a mole hill into a mountain

[punky]

DW is spot on

The facial recognition software looks for things like eyes, nose and mouth. This is necessary so the camera doesn't focus on every oval-shapped object. On a black person there isn't enough contrast for the features to be picked out.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Bender

I get the impression he is joking about when he says it's 'racist', rather than the fact the camera is unable to pick up defining features due to the lighting conditions, but all the same... please don't let this be another excuse to play the race card.... whatever next?

The guy made the video in humour. ignore the people who ignore that fact

---------- Post added at 14:47 ---------- Previous post was at 14:46 ----------

Originally Posted by Russ

That's certainly how I meant it.

Of course you did, Russ

[Charlie_Bubble]

H is a bit like K and P is ancient gerontimajum for 3, so K x 3 = KKK!!! I'm surprised nobody noticed it sooner!

[broadbandking]

LOL I can see the humour if thats how its meant, if he is serious then this is the reason why the race card is played too easy.