01 July, 2009

OKAO Vision Recognized as "Best Research" at Symposium on Sensing via Image Information

Omron's "OKAO Vision" face sensing technology was recently selected as the winner of the Takagi award at the Symposium on Sensing via Image Information (SSII). The SSII is Japan's largest symposium dealing with industrial applications of image sensing technology, and the Takagi award recognizes research achievements that have made the most outstanding contribution to the practical application of image sensing technology over the years. OKAO Vision was recognized for its leading role both in terms of technology and business in various sectors of the industry, and the resulting establishment of a new field.


OKAO Vision development team members accept a certificate at the award ceremony

OKAO Vision development team members attended the award ceremony held on June 11 to receive the Takagi award.

The Takagi award recognizes inventions that have made a significant contribution to society. Inventions are selected from among many research outcomes that have been presented at the IISS symposiums to date. Criteria for selection include innovation, outstanding benefits, contributions to the development of science, technology and industry, and other considerations.


Mr. Kawade of Technology Collaboration Center gives a presentation of award-winning research

With respect to academic contributions, Omron has been actively engaged in research and development of many technologies related to face sensing, including face detection, face recognition, gender/age estimation, and smile evaluation. The research papers have won numerous excellent paper awards at the SSII symposium, and are also highly rated by academia, having been featured in leading international journals. With respect to business, Omron succeeded in commercializing its face sensing technology for a wide range of applications, including amusement devices, imaging equipment such as mobile phones, digital cameras and printers, as well as security and marketing. In the process, Omron's image sensing technology has become widely disseminated through daily-use products. These facts were highly evaluated, resulting in the receipt of the Takagi award.

Award Recipients
Masato Kawade and Erina Takikawa, Technology Collaboration Center, Research & Development HQ
Shihong Lao and Yoshihisa Ijiri, Core Technology Center, Research & Development HQ
Koichi Kinoshita, GI Promotion Project, Research & Development HQ
Takayoshi Yamashita, Imaging Equipment Department, ECB Advanced Components Division