Human Skin Detection Technology for Improved Security, Search and Rescue

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Many current image recognition programs employ hyperspectral imaging systems, which allow engineers to search for a wide variety of objects – exoplanets, oil wells, or human skin, to name a few – by looking for specific “fingerprints” in the electromagnetic spectrum. However, the involved image acquisition and post-processing are typically too slow for live search and rescue operations. Additionally, specific air platform requirements and the high cost of acquisition and management – around $700,000 – currently puts hyperspectral systems out of reach for search and rescue organizations.
 
Mendenhall and his colleagues use their skin detection and false alarm suppression feature space to design an application-specific optical system using three framing cameras; their first breadboard system is about 12”x12”x6”. Because their skin detection solution can be implemented with less expensive technology capable of live video frame rates, its total price tag would be around $100,000.  
 
Future work for Mendenhall and his colleagues includes investigating the scattering properties of hair in order to characterize pixels as a mix of skin and hair, as well as improving the rates of their system by accounting for skin’s specular, or mirror-like, reflection of light.

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