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Hewlett-Packard in Hot Water With 'Racist' Face-Tracking Webcams
After a video (after the break) that demonstrates a problem with Hewlett-Packard's (HP) webcams exploded on YouTube, the manufacturer is reexamining its software while handling a PR nightmare.In a video posted on December 10th, a black male and a white female show how an HP computer's facial-tracking software fails to recognize the black man's movements. Yeah, you know where this is headed. When the woman, Wanda, enters the frame, the camera follows her wherever she goes. But when the man, Desi, enters, the camera won't respond to any of his movements at all. His only comment? "I'm going on record, and I'm saying it," he says. "Hewlett-Packard computers are racist."
Now, he does say this with a slight grin, but still, HP is taking this problem and claim very seriously (as it should). According to a blog post, the company claims the problem resides in the camera's difficulty recognizing contrast in low lighting. In the same post, HP promises it's working to remedy it.
But that's no consolation to Desi, or his wife, this holiday season. "And the worst part is, I bought one for Christmas." [From: Voodoo Blog, via: Bloomberg]
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Comments
72
Subscribe to commentsn_tycemeDec 23rd 2009 2:13PM
yes, it is racist. It only targeted the white woman. I bet it will target a white male also.
philDec 23rd 2009 2:47PM
I'll bet The HP computer also voted for John McCain. When it's shut off, it probably runs endless loops of Fox News and Glenn Beck to entertain itself. Damn those computers!!!! They should be kicked right in the hard drive.
l.p. forneauxDec 23rd 2009 2:20PM
Quite hilarious, I must say! I do enjoy these YouTube videos and the HP computer, well, how shall I say, yes, indeed, I think the computer needs to speak its piece if we want to hear the full side of the story. And yet...well, artificial intelligence, you see, it is not nearly where it might be and who can be blamed for this but the robots who create computers who were themselves created by robots? When I first began writing poetry in the 1930's, or was it earlier, I was sure we would live to see the day when computers could say "How are you, L.P. Forneaux" but these days, they tend to mispronounce it, rather like "L.P. Fornay" or some such.
fltmechDec 23rd 2009 2:37PM
Oh good GOD. Now they even call software programs racist. What is this country comming to. The fall of the USA is in progress.
watdafukDec 23rd 2009 6:47PM
The NAACP law suit can`t be far behind.
Laura JuneDec 23rd 2009 2:42PM
It's pretty hard to believe you exist.
spanshkingDec 23rd 2009 2:48PM
LT in the words of George Lopez "Tas Loco"
MCMFILMSDec 23rd 2009 3:28PM
Maybe its just tracks women...did you consider that the HP's are sexist as well?
Hmmmm...
Su3296Dec 23rd 2009 3:33PM
That is just like an episode of Better Off Ted on ABC Tuesdays at 9:30p.The episode called Racial Sensitivity in which it had the same problem of not seeing black people. If you got to ABC.com, you can watch the show it is very funny!
dpreocaninDec 23rd 2009 3:33PM
Some of my black friends claim that every time they enter a store all eyes focus on them, and they feel this is racist. Shouldn't people be happy that the lens is staring at the white person when she enters the room and not the black person. I would say this is one politically correct lens. LOL! Secondly, I think people take this stuff way too seriously.
Xyre7Dec 23rd 2009 3:34PM
This is sort of like the better off ted episode...
hpbnnDec 23rd 2009 3:39PM
Tiger would like this only follows white women
sun3296Dec 23rd 2009 3:40PM
That is just like an episode of Better Off Ted on ABC Tuesdays at 9:30p.The episode called Racial Sensitivity in which it had the same problem of not seeing black people. They had to have white people follow them around work. If you go to ABC.com, you can watch the episode on that show it is very funny! Best show ever!
ChristyDec 23rd 2009 3:54PM
Tell me this how can a computer be racist this is one of the most craziest thing I have ever heard. It is probably a software problem. Im sure HP isnt racist they only see one color and that would be green. Think about why would they want to isolate themselves from blacks. It does not monetarily make scense. If you think they did this on porpose you are looking for a reason to cry racism. Joke or not this is how our world is today.
worldwidepiincDec 23rd 2009 3:56PM
I am wondering why they are doing this in a mirror? If you look closely their names in their shirts and the other signs in the background are invereted. I wonder if this could have soemthing to do with the recognition problem.
docdrew23Dec 23rd 2009 4:03PM
Okay, its quite ridiculous to consider this racist. It's obvious (to anyone who has worked with any video/camera equipment) that its a technical issue related to low light and contrast. He is obviously way darker than she is, and that is something that the camera itself should have registered. Instead of considering this racist, it should be considered a faulty problem on what im assuming was an over priced laptop or computer.
wellonssmoov54Dec 23rd 2009 4:10PM
You idiots!!! He didn't say he was suing HP!! AND he was laughing!! He realizes that it was a problem that HP should be aware of. He obviously was joking when he said that the computer was racist! Some of you just cannot comprehend humor and irony. A lot of you are getting worked up for nothing!
Gee Whiz people!
CINDYDec 23rd 2009 4:12PM
You're right Sabrina! I'm still trying to figure out, who's screaming racism. The white woman or the black guy? If it's not following the black guy, it must mean that he can get away with stealing something, RIGHT? She's the one the camera is watching! So why would the black guy scream racism? It's not targeting him! It's targeting her!! You'd think the black guy would be HAPPY!! Is this just one of those stories MEANT to bring racial remarks out of the woodwork??
MattDec 23rd 2009 4:21PM
In a country where we finally have an african american as the president there can be no more racism. It is now out the window along with affirmative action. Now every man and woman of any race or religion can no longer call themselves a minority or a majority.
Laura ScottDec 23rd 2009 4:26PM
Oh my God! Seriously! What the ****? A HP being racist? This is so silly! Lord what is this crazy world comin to?!