News

Carnival Cruise Lines to test ROI potential of biometrics

January 22, 2004

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- ImageWare Systems Inc. has signed an agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, to conduct a pilot project aboard the new Carnival Miracle to enhance the photo-purchasing experience for guests and speed the photo-procurement process.

The pilot project, which encompasses a photo-retrieval kiosk that utilizes facial-recognition software, is part of Carnival's ongoing effort to leverage technology to maximize guest satisfaction, according to a news release.

ImageWare will use a combination of its facial-recognition and digital-imaging capabilities to develop a system that will store all professional keepsake photos taken of guests vacationing aboard Carnival Miracle beginning this spring.

To access the system, a guest simply steps up to a standalone photo-retrieval kiosk, which will capture an image of his or her face. This image is then compared, using facial-recognition technology, to all faces in all photos that have been captured on the cruise. Once the search is complete, photos containing the guest, including group and individual shots, will appear on the screen and be available for review and purchase.

"We're looking forward to testing this innovative new technology aboard Carnival Miracle. Our objective is to enhance our guests' experience by utilizing state-of-the-art technology that reduces the time and energy it takes to physically search for keepsake photos," said Bob Woodry, Carnival's vice president of photo/video services, in the release.

"As an innovator in digital imaging and facial recognition technologies, ImageWare is the only company that combines professional photography expertise with innovative software capabilities that meet our demands. This is a terrific concept and if successful, we anticipate implementing the system aboard our other Fun Ships," added Woodry.