Google Develops Project Toscana Face Recognition for Pixels

Google is developing an advanced facial recognition system codenamed Project Toscana, which aims to enhance security and usability on its Pixel smartphones and Chromebooks by matching the performance of Apple's Face ID across varying lighting conditions.

According to reports from individuals familiar with the project, internal testing has been underway at Google's Mountain View headquarters. The system was evaluated on a Pixel device equipped with a single hole-punch front camera and on two Chromebooks using external cameras. Testers noted that it operates as quickly as Face ID, even in low-light environments, addressing a key limitation of current Pixel face unlock features. Those features, available on models from the Pixel 8 onward, rely on machine learning and a standard front-facing camera, enabling secure actions like payments through Google Pay and banking apps, but they perform inconsistently in dim settings.

The technology appears designed for a streamlined hardware setup, potentially incorporating infrared components without additional visible sensors. This could involve under-display infrared elements, allowing the system to maintain a clean design similar to recent...