Google Is Building An Inclusive Android Camera To Capture All Subjects Naturally
Image via Google
Recently, Google announced its plans to come up with a new camera system for Android that will be more racially-inclusive.
The tech leader is currently working with imaging and industry experts to design the software needed to help its cameras get better at rendering a more diverse range of skin tones. It seems Google has acknowledged the photography industry’s bias towards lighter skin.
According to PetaPixel, although the camera may seem to be unbiased, many decisions that go into the making of one, and the accompanying software, could be. People historically behind the invention of cameras did not take people of color and their wide range of skin tones into account.
Other than skin color, Google is also working on its algorithms to better process hair types and textures. The new changes will help its camera better represent hair naturally, rather than artificially removing definition or volume, as per Digital Trends.
Android Vice-President Sameer Samat said that the firm wanted to build its applications for everyone, including making its technology more accessible and equitable.
As for the timeline, Google expects to add these improvements to Pixel devices this fall, but will eventually make the updates available throughout the entire Android ecosystem.
“The goal of this work is to make all of our camera and imagery products work as best as they can for people of color with a strong focus on people with darker skin tones,” Google’s Product Marketing Manager Florian Koenigsberger said.
[via PetaPixel, cover image via Google]
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