Lie detecting robot with Mancunian accent to boost security at borders

An avatar created by scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University is soon to be used to boost security at border crossing around the world.

"iBorderCntrl" uses artificial intelligence to work out whether people are lying about who they are or why they're travelling.

It's a European-funded project that could transform the future of international border security and will be piloted at land borders in Hungary, Greece and Latvia later this year but it could be several years before we see it up and running at Manchester Airport.

Travellers are interviewed by an avatar border guard which asks questions like their reasons for travel and how they are travelling to their destination, creating a psychological profile and giving the user a score based on their truthfulness.

Behind the scenes, the Automatic Deception Detection system, developed at Manchester Met, can tell if a person is lying or telling the truth through almost imperceptible signs, such as facial micro-gestures.

iBorderCtrl is a ‘human in the loop’ system, so it will give a risk score based on the user’s truthfulness, but human border guards will make any final decisions. The software can learn new ways of recognising deception from each person who uses it.

Dr Keeley Crockett, a member of the European consortium developing the iBorderCtrl software at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “iBorderCtrl technology uses artificial intelligence to detect micro-gestures and other tell-tale signs of lying - making our borders safer from anyone who intends harm, and speeding up security checks for the majority of travellers.

“It’s great to be part of such a huge and significant project, with partners across Europe, and it is exciting that research and technology developed in the heart of Manchester could revolutionise the future of travel and international security.

“We - the consortium team and myself - are looking forward to meeting the public at the Manchester Science Festival, teaching people about the benefits of this software, and having some fun with it too.”

iBorderCtrl will be showcased to the public on Saturday 20th October at the Science and Industry Museum, (10am to 4pm) as part of the Manchester Science Festival.

Scientists from Manchester Metropolitan will reveal their cutting-edge research, answer any burning questions about how science and technology will shape our futures, and give people the opportunity to take part in live hands-on science experiments.

Professor Andy Gibson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “I’m delighted that we are playing a significant role in the Manchester Science Festival - taking science out of the laboratory so we can share it with the local community, and show people how research here in Manchester is shaping the whole world.

“We believe there’s something for everyone this year, from high-tech sports innovations and art inspired by science, to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and healthcare.

“I hope that everyone who joins in will have fun, unforgettable experiences and that they’ll come away feeling inspired by the scientific research we do here every day.”