Alibaba's Jack Ma demonstrates "Smile to Pay" at the CeBIT trade fair in Hannover, Germany. (Photo : www.brandchannel.com)
Alibaba recently launched its latest face scan payment technology, “Smile to Pay,” at CeBIT 2015, the world’s most anticipated computer and software fair.
China's e-commerce giant unveiled the beta version of the facial recognition technology it is currently developing during the ongoing trade fair held in Hannover, Germany.
Alibaba's chairman, Jack Ma, said that using "online payments to buy things is always a big headache," citing people's tendency to forget passwords and anxiety on security.
"Today, we'll show you a new technology, how in the future people will buy things online," Jack remarked before doing a demonstration.
Chairman Ma then pulled out his smartphone and bought an old stamp from Hannover from his company's online platform by scanning his face with the mobile's camera to confirm his purchase. He assured that the purchased item will arrive at the Hannover mayor's office within six days.
The face recognition technology is being developed by the Ant Financial unit of the leading e-commerce firm in China. It eyes to utilize the technology with the Alipay Wallet and online payment service.
Although the technology is dubbed "Smile to Pay," Ant Financial spokeswoman Miranda Shek said that users need not smile for their face to be recognized. She shared that the idea behind the name is that people may forget passwords, "but you can't forget your face."
A company spokesperson revealed that "Smile to Pay" will be released in China in the near future, but the specific date is yet to be released.
Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai and German Chancellor Angela Merkel graced the opening ceremony of the Hannover computer and software trade fair.
CeBIT will run until Friday, March 20.
