The MTA is asking Apple to update its face recognition technology so riders do not have to take off their masks to unlock their phones.
In a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, MTA Chairman Patrick Foye asked that the tech giant “accelerate the development of new technologies and solutions” to keep riders ‘faces covered, and called for customers’ copies to be removed from them. masks around their iPhones with Face ID to use their devices for other purposes, as you stand on the platform and ride our buses, subways and commuter tracks. “
“At this time, there were no coronavirus clusters anywhere in the world to trace back to public transport, and we want to ensure that this continues through mask use by sending MTA customers even higher,” the letter read.
Although Apple recently released an iPhone software update that automatically brings up the password entry screen when the phone feels the user is wearing a face mask, Foye Cook asked “to take these efforts a step further.”
“Upgrades that allow users to unlock their phones while keeping their masks safely over their noses and mouths would be beneficial in all public spaces, not just on public transportation,” Foye wrote.
The MTA would be ready to contribute digital and print signatures in stations as well as on buses and trains to inform riders of any new updates as part of the proposed initiative.
“There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers,” an Apple spokesman said in a statement. “We are fully committed to continuing with the MTA to support its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
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