In a bid to bolster its photo and video efforts, Facebook has acquired facial recognition startup FacioMetrics. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
FacioMetrics is a Carnegie Mellon University spin off company which specializes in using artificial intelligence to give facial image analysis capabilities to applications that run on smartphones. Facebook had attempted and failed to acquire Snpchat following which it is trying to find ways to compete with the app.
Fernando De la Torre — Founder and CEO wrote in a blog post,
We started FacioMetrics to respond to the increasing interest and demand for facial image analysis – with all kinds of applications including augmented/virtual reality, animation, audience reaction measurement, and others. We began our research at Carnegie Mellon University developing state-of-the-art computer vision and machine learning algorithms for facial image analysis. Over time, we have successfully developed and integrated this cutting-edge technology into battery-friendly and efficient mobile applications, and also created new applications of this technology.
The latest acquisition comes from Facebook only days after it started rolling out Prisma style art filters for its Live video. Facebook acquired MSQRD video filter app.