Posted on 12/22/2009 12:25:36 PM PST by DCurts
Hewlett-Packard is investigating a claim that Webcams built into its PCs are incapable of tracking the facial movements of black individuals and only function properly when Caucasians or people of other lighter-skinned races are in the frame.
The probe was prompted by a YouTube video in which a black man named Desi demonstrates the problem. The camera, which is designed to follow individuals' head movements, fails to track Desi as he moves in and out of the picture.
But when Desi's white co-worker, Wanda, enters the scene the camera follows her. "As soon as my blackness enters the frame, it stopped," says Desi. "Black Desi gets in there, no face recognition anymore buddy," says Desi.
"I'm going on the record and I'm saying it, Hewlett-Packard computers are racist," adds Desi, who says he's using an HP Media Smart PC.
HP officials posted a blog Sunday indicating that the company is taking the claim seriously and investigating if technical issues are behind the problem.
"Everything we do is focused on ensuring that we provide a high-quality experience for all our customers, who are ethnically diverse and work around the world. That's why when issues surface, we take them seriously and work hard to understand the root causes," said HP social media strategist Tony "Frosty" Welch.
The official implied that HP's Web cams may, indeed, have difficult tracking black individuals' faces.
"The technology we use is built on standard algorithms that measure the difference in intensity of contrast between the eyes and the upper cheek and nose. We believe the camera might have difficulty 'seeing' contrast in conditions where there is insufficient foreground lighting," said Welch.
"We are working with our partners to learn more," said Welch.
Beyond a possible political backlash by African Americans, the glitch could also hurt HP sales in some hot emerging markets, such as India, where PC users tend to have skin tones that are darker than those of individuals of European descent.
Still, investors largely shrugged off the news, as HP shares were up 1.1%, to $52.56, in afternoon trading Tuesday.
Simultaneous tracking of image and negative image would be simplest. Make checks payable to UBSOTOS.
Built in light for Black people? How would that look? “HP Desktop Cam! Now available with extra light for Black People!”
And just why is this completely idiotic story even being reported!!!???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4DT3tQqgRM
The video is absolutely hilarious and you can’t blame the black guy at all. The camera clearly doesn’t like him. It’s in mirror mode, if you are wondering about the backwards letters.
problem = HP Webcam doesn’t track blacks as well as whites (noticed by black Desi)
solution1 = recognize you’ve identified a problem to which you can offer a better solution...build/sell the better solution...benefit yourself financially and your fellow blacks who would buy this more black-sensitive/responsive webcam
solution2 = whine about the webcam problem you’ve discovered, insisting that an inanimate object is racist and demand that someone fix it for you
reality = HP shares were up 1.1%
If it followed the black guy around and not the white it would be profiling.
I think the black guy is racist for thinking a computer is racist.....well...actually he’s just an idiot.
If it followed the black guy around and not the white it would be profiling.
I think the black guy is racist for thinking a computer is racist.....well...actually he’s just an idiot.
If it followed the black guy around and not the white it would be profiling.
I think the black guy is racist for thinking a computer is racist.....well...actually he’s just an idiot.
After seeing the video, which is impressive, it's clear that black Desi is just having some fun with this and doesn't appear to be genuinely offended.
He did find one hell of a good software/firmware bug. Good QA.
I know everything hasn't been quite right with me, but I can assure you now, very confidently, that it's going to be all right again. I feel much better now. I really do.
Look, Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over. I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.
Flash! Optics/physics found racist! NBC announces it will no longer use cameras for its TV shows!
I can no longer distinguish reality from satire.
“New Improved* HP Desktop Camera!”
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*Now works for Black People Too!
I don’t like cameras on PCs period. if mine had one, I’d tape it over.
For real. You can't swing a dead werewolf without hitting a stinking vampire these days...
They should verify if it has the same effect on dark-masked Islamist terrorists.
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