Google Acquires Facial Recognition Software Company PittPatt + Face Recog Background Links
Google has acquired Pittsburgh Pattern Recognition, known as PittPatt, a company that develops technology for recognizing faces in images and video, according to PittPatt’s website.
Its founders began developing the technology at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute in the 1990s and formed PittPatt in 2004 as a spin-off from the university, the website says.
“At Google, computer vision technology is already at the core of many existing products (such as Image Search, YouTube, Picasa, and Goggles), so it’s a natural fit to join Google and bring the benefits of our research and technology to a wider audience,” PittPatt said.
From the PittPatt Web Site
Joining Google is the next thrilling step in a journey that began with research at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute in the 1990s and continued with the launching of Pittsburgh Pattern Recognition (PittPatt) in 2004. We’ve worked hard to advance the research and technology in many important ways and have seen our technology come to life in some very interesting products. At Google, computer vision technology is already at the core of many existing products (such as Image Search, YouTube, Picasa, and Goggles), so it’s a natural fit to join Google and bring the benefits of our research and technology to a wider audience. We will continue to tap the potential of computer vision in applications that range from simple photo organization to complex video and mobile applications.
See Also: “Google’s facial recognition app? Not yet, according to Google” [Updated] (via The Next Web
Make sure to read the update at the end of the story.
See Also: “Google publishes facial recognition patent, could use social network photos” (via Computerworld)
See Also: Viewdle
Independent mobile visual analysis company. Apps for Android and desktop.
See Also: Face Detection Homepage
with inks to Info and Demos
Filed under: News, Video Recordings

About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.