SoftBank unit spreads SenseTime facial recognition tech in Japan

Chinese AI group's biggest outside investor helps roll out system at Wendy's

20211215 SenseTime main

Three Tokyo outlets of U.S. hamburger chain Wendy's introduced a payment system that utilizes SenseTime's facial recognition technology on Wednesday. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

WATARU SUZUKI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Use of Chinese artificial intelligence developer SenseTime Group's facial recognition technology is quietly on the rise in Japan, thanks to crucial support from affiliates of SoftBank Group.

In a trial starting on Wednesday, three Tokyo outlets of U.S. hamburger chain Wendy's will begin letting users pay for their orders using a system powered by SenseTime technology that has been licensed to a subsidiary of SoftBank's mobile unit.

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