MiTAC’s facial recognition amazes New Taipei City

ClarIDy Solution, Inc. of MiTAC group added a new feature to the New Taipei City Library Main Branch: Facial Recognition for book check-out-and-return. New City mayor Eric Chu was impressed of the convenience this new technology brought to the library.

The New Taipei City Library Main Branch is the first library to implement facial recognition technology in place of library card. Library patrons only have to take a look at the camera to check-out books. Besides the Main Branch, this new application has also implemented in Banqiao Station Self-Service Library, Luzhou Ren Ai Self-Service Library, Sanchong IReading Automatic Book Stop and will expand to libraries in other areas.

During the opening ceremony day on August, 14, New City mayor Eric Chu tried the facial recognition application for book check-out. He indicated that facial recognition is the latest trend when it comes to user authentication. New Taipei City Library always plays the pioneer role among public libraries in Taiwan, and it has also utilized lots of intelligent devices and services. Again, it has taken the lead to apply facial recognition technology, bring convenient service to citizens and establish the new model of library environment. New Taipei city’s vision is to promote this technology to more libraries and foster a book-loving culture in New Taipei City.

“Since ClarIDy merged into MiTAC group, it has incorporated MiTAC’s experience on system integration to offer more diversified services. “ MiTAC’s Internet of Things Business Group Associate Vice President, Chris Chen said “We integrated self-service feature of book check-out-and-return with access control function of MiTAC’s Smart Library to create this value-added application. Citizens could gain entry to libraries and check out books through facial recognition systems without any physical card.”

New Taipei City Library curator, Wang Jiin-Hwa noted that facial recognition is another option for library patrons to borrow books. To protect user privacy, the registration of the facial recognition service would be examined by designated personnel, and the submitted information including personal data and portraits would be encrypted and protected under personal information protection act.