Imagis Facial Recognition Software Purchased By New Zealand Customs
VANCOUVER & WELLINGTON, July 23 /CNW-AsiaNet/ --
New Zealand Customs Service is investigating the use of facial recognition software to apply against its core CUSMOD
border management system.
Imagis Technologies Inc. ("Imagis") (OTCBB: IGSTF; TSX: NAB; Germany:IGY), a leading developer of biometric systems
using advanced facial and image recognition technology, in conjunction with New Zealand Customs Service ("NZ Customs"),
announced today that Imagis' ID-2000 facial recognition technology has been purchased by New Zealand Customs.
The department has purchased ID-2000 software from Imagis, a Canadian developer and marketer of biometric-based
software, for the purpose of investigating the use of facial recognition software to apply against its core CUSMOD
border management system. The software was purchased through Imagis' New Zealand-based business partner, ITB Solutions
of Wellington.
"Our focus is experimental and investigative, creating local awareness within Customs of such technology," says Peter
Rosewarne, NZ Customs' IS manager. "We're using the software to develop capabilities within the workflow of our existing
processes. It's being applied against CUSMOD by developing applications such as detecting false images in documents, and
alerts against known faces."
Mr. Rosewarne says the Imagis product was chosen because Imagis was a reputable vendor with an international presence
and the software offered good value for NZ Customs applications.
Imagis ID-2000's sophisticated image analysis algorithms use more than 200 facial descriptors to capture and compare an
individual's face against a database, quickly identifying individuals who pose a potential threat.
Features and functions include the ability to:
- Identify an individual within very large databases of images in seconds with high accuracy;
- Extract increased levels of three-dimensional facial information from standard digital photographs;
- Protect, secure, and synchronize image and data across a network, an intranet, or the Internet;
- Detect motion as well as faces;
- Compare images taken from video streams to those in a database; - Authenticate a person's identity and determine
possible matches to a facial photograph;
- Transmit information, including internationally, in a highly secure fashion;
- Search the database against both imagery and data;
- Securely search local and remote databases regardless of their physical location.
NZ Customs is Imagis' first customer in New Zealand. Vancouver-based Imagis established its regional office in Sydney,
Australia, just three months ago.
About New Zealand Customs Service
The New Zealand Customs Service is the government agency with the job of protecting the community from potential risks
arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across the
border. Customs has over 800 staff around New Zealand, covering the main air and sea ports. More details on New Zealand
Customs Service can be found on the Web at www.customs.govt.nz
About Imagis Technologies Inc..
Imagis Technologies (OTCBB:IGSTF; TSX:NAB; Germany:IGY) is a leading developer of biometric systems using advanced
facial and image recognition technology. This includes biometric security solutions and facial identification solutions
for such industry sectors as law enforcement, airports, customs & immigration, driver's licences & passports, and other government agencies. In addition to providing stand-alone software solutions, Imagis offers a
biometric facial recognition Software Development Kit (SDK) to third-party integrators and other software providers who
want to develop their own biometric solutions based on Imagis' technology.
The Company, whose Chairman is Oliver "Buck" Revell, the former Associate Deputy Director of the FBI, has over one
hundred installations of its software in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, including Britain's
National Crime Squad (NCS), more than 50 RCMP detachments and police departments across Canada, over 40 police
departments across the US, and Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
Imagis' technology has been endorsed by leading security agencies and police organizations around the world as an
effective measure in identifying criminals, reducing fraud, assisting investigations, and preventing terrorism. More
details on Imagis can be found on the Web at www.imagistechnologies.com.
The press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, to differ materially
from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include the risks and
uncertainties described in our Form 10-KSB filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news
release.
ENDS