• The Telegraph, Monday, August 2, 2010 10:38 PM

Advertising billboards similar to those seen in the film Minority Report, which can recognize passers-by, target them with customized adverts and even use their names, are being developed by computer engineers. Researchers at IBM have revealed they are working on technology which will lead to consumers being shown tailor made adverts that reflect their personal interest, reports The Telegraph. Digital advertising screens are already appearing in train stations, on bus stops and on the sides of buildings, but currently they only show generic adverts for a handful of products.

The new ads will behave like those in the Tom Cruise film, in which Cruise's character is confronted with digital signs that call out his name as he walks through a futuristic shopping mall. "John Anderton. You could use a Guinness right about now," one billboard announces as he walks past. IBM claims its technology will help prevent consumers from being subjected to a barrage of irritating ads; they will only be shown adverts for products relevant to them.

Japanese company NEC wowed technophiles and horrified privacy advocates earlier this year with electronic billboards that use facial recognition technology to identify the age and gender of passers-by, tailoring the ads they display to fit the demographic, says Popsi.

Read the whole story at The Telegraph »