From 325 meters away, your gaze could barely distinguish a human silhouette. But for the new 3D facial scanning device developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University, that distance is enough to create a detailed three-dimensional model of a face, capturing even the smallest variations in the skin surface. A result that opens up surprising scenarios for future applications of this technology.
The technology behind the system
The device is based on the technology TO DEAL: emits laser pulses that hit objects and reflect. By analyzing the time it takes for each pulse to return to the device, the system can accurately determine the shape of the scanned object.
Aongus McCarthy and his team faced several technical challenges to achieve this level of detail, including precisely calibrating the miniaturized components that direct the laser pulses inside the device.
Crucial technical innovations
One of the most innovative features of the system is the use of a light detection sensor based on an ultra-thin superconducting wire, a component rarely used in traditional lidar systems. This allows the device to distinguish individual particles of light.
The researchers conducted rigorous tests of their lidar system under real-world conditions. They carried out detailed 3D facial scans of a team member from distances of 45 and 325 meters. To demonstrate the versatility of the system, they also captured three-dimensional images of Lego figurines from 32 meters away. Even more impressive, They managed to scan a segment of a communications tower from a kilometer away, despite the difficult ambient lighting conditions.
That was a very challenging test: we had no control over what we could put into the scene we were photographing.
said McCarthy.
New Scanner Scans 3D Faces From Hundreds of Meters Away
3D facial scanning reaches new heights: innovative lidar system can detect millimeter-level facial details from hundreds of meters thanks to superconducting sensors
From 325 meters away, your gaze could barely distinguish a human silhouette. But for the new 3D facial scanning device developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University, that distance is enough to create a detailed three-dimensional model of a face, capturing even the smallest variations in the skin surface. A result that opens up surprising scenarios for future applications of this technology.
The technology behind the system
The device is based on the technology deal, which emits pulses of laser light that hit objects and reflect back. By analyzing the time it takes for each pulse to return to the device, the system can accurately determine the shape of the scanned object. Aongus McCarthy and his team faced several technical challenges to achieve this level of detail, including precisely calibrating the miniaturized components that direct the laser pulses inside the device.
Crucial technical innovations
One of the most innovative features of the system is the use of a light-detection sensor based on an ultra-thin superconducting wire, a component rarely used in traditional lidar systems. This allows the device to distinguish individual particles of light. Another significant challenge was filtering out sunlight that could enter the detector and degrade image quality.
3D Face Scanning, Field Tests and Results
The researchers conducted rigorous tests of their lidar system in real-world conditions. They took detailed 3D facial scans of a team member from distances of 45 and 325 meters. To demonstrate the system’s versatility, they also captured three-dimensional images of Lego figurines from 32 meters away. Even more impressively, they managed to scan a segment of a communications tower from a kilometer away, despite challenging ambient lighting conditions.
That was a very challenging test – because of the bright background, we had no control over what we could put into the scene we were photographing.
said McCarthy.
Future prospects
Feihu Xu ofUniversity of Science and Technology of China, whose team has previously used LIDAR to image from 200 kilometers away, called the results “remarkable” in terms of depth resolution.
Vivek Goyal of Boston University highlights the growing importance of lidar technology for modern applications, especially autonomous vehicles and robotics. However, before it can be used in these applications, the device will need to be miniaturized and made more compact.
3D facial scanning from great distances. Ok. What for?
The potential applications of this technology are as promising as they are ethically sensitive.
In the field of public security, 3D facial scanning of this type could significantly improve remote surveillance and identification systems.
In medical sector, could enable non-invasive facial screening for certain disease conditions.
However, I am also concerned about the potential misuse for unauthorized mass surveillance or invasion of privacy. The ability to perform detailed 3D facial scans from great distances raises important questions about the need for adequate regulation and the balance between technological innovation and individual rights.
In short: the usual. There are always two sides to a coin, and one of them is really ugly.
Here you can find the research, for further information: https://opg.optica.org/optica/abstract.cfm?doi=10.1364/OPTICA.544877
