One of the main concerns for purchasers in today's digital age, where online shopping has become the standard, is receiving counterfeit products instead of the genuine items they requested.
In fact, EU e-commerce data tells us that more than half of all confiscated counterfeit goods by customs are from online shops.
A new application called FeaturePrint, developed by Washington-based company Alitheon, aims to end this alarming situation.
Expose Fake Goods In a Snap
By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI), this app claims to identify fake items and distinguish them from their authentic counterparts with a single snapshot taken on a smartphone.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on barcodes, stickers, markers, or RFID technology, the company claims that FeaturePrint utilizes optical AI to authenticate products.
This ingenious approach eliminates the need for special scanners or cameras, making it accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Users can take a photo of an item and let the app work its magic, verifying its authenticity and tracing its supply chain.
With all these features in mind, authorities can use this convenient technology to abolish fake goods rings altogether.
AI-Powered App
Alitheon's AI system is designed to recognize and analyze intricate surface details of physical objects, converting them into unique mathematical representations.
FeaturePrint creates a digital fingerprint for each registered product by capturing these numerical sets. This allows users to identify specific items enrolled in the system rather than just categorizing them into broad product classes like other services.
Reports tell us that the app is not limited to new or undamaged items. Even broken or damaged products can be authenticated using the app's advanced algorithms, although it claims it still cannot replace existing authentication processes.
Additionally, the software can handle variations in orientation, ensuring accurate results even if the object is rotated or captured from different angles.
Furthermore, the app supports versioning, enabling users to access the audit histories of individual products, which can be invaluable for verification purposes.
Coming Soon
While FeaturePrint's capabilities sound impressive, it is worth noting that the app is currently not available to the general public via popular app stores like Google Play or the App Store.
Instead, Alitheon has made the software accessible exclusively to corporate clients. This approach allows the company to fine-tune the technology and gather valuable feedback before a wider release.
Unfortunately, details about how products are enrolled in the FeaturePrint system and the mechanisms behind the authentication process remain undisclosed on Alitheon's website.
The absence of this information leaves potential users with some unanswered questions regarding the practical aspects of the app.
Combating the Counterfeits Market
FeaturePrint shows great promise in combating the counterfeit market and protecting consumers from fraudulent products.
By harnessing the power of AI and optical recognition, Alitheon has created an app that has the potential to revolutionize the way we authenticate and trace the authenticity of products - although the real judgments come when the app finally goes public.
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