Hipster or Goth? Software algorithm identifies your urban tribe

Social networks like Facebook may soon be able to tell which urban tribe you belong to. University of California, San Diego computer scientists are developing an algorithm that uses group pictures to determine whether you’re a hipster, Goth, biker, or surfer. So far, the algorithm is about 5 times more accurate than chance, but the researchers think they can get it to perform at least as well as a human.

Researcher Serge Belongie said identifying urban tribes is surprisingly difficult for computers. To tackle the task, Belongie’s team worked with pictures of the eight most popular subcultures: biker, country, Goth, heavy metal, hip hop, hipster, raver, and surfer. One of the team’s insights was to analyze group pictures rather than pictures of individuals. They hoped that this would make it easier to pick up social cues – such as clothing and hairdos – to determine people’s tribes based on visuals featuring more than one person.

Specifically, the algorithm segments each person into six sections – face, head, top of the head (where a hat would be), neck, torso, and arms. The algorithm then analyzes the picture as the sum of its parts and attributes – in this case haircuts, hair color, make up, jewelry, and tattoos. The algorithm also analyzes the sections for color, texture and other factors.

After training the algorithm with labeled pictures, the program could accurately determine the urban tribe 48 percent of the time – a result significantly better than random (9 percent).

The team’s work will likely have a wide range of applications, from generating more relevant search results and advertisements, to allowing networks like Facebook to provide better recommendations and content. There also is a growing interest in analyzing footage from CCTV cameras in public spaces to identify groups rather than individuals. “This is a first step,” concluded Belongie. “We are scratching the surface to figure out what the signals are.”

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Facebook Likes reveal surprisingly accurate intimate personal information
Decoded smartphone movements reveal transport mode
Context And Computer Vision
MRI scans predict pop music success

Source: University of California, San Diego

, , ,

Comments are closed.

Child Of Vision Computer Learning Image Blue Vintage Metal Pinback Pin Button picture

Child Of Vision Computer Learning Image Blue Vintage Metal Pinback Pin Button

$9.99



1993 Skull and Brain Polaroid Future Vision Hologram Sticker Sealed Card RARE picture

1993 Skull and Brain Polaroid Future Vision Hologram Sticker Sealed Card RARE

$49.99



Vintage Computervision Distributed Systems Computer Pinback Button Pin Lot E picture

Vintage Computervision Distributed Systems Computer Pinback Button Pin Lot E

$27.95



1991 3-D Visions Graftool Graphics Package Vintage PRINT AD Computer Software  picture

1991 3-D Visions Graftool Graphics Package Vintage PRINT AD Computer Software

$8.99



Computer Vision -- circa 1979, Dick Zimmerman close up mentalism fooler    TMGS picture

Computer Vision -- circa 1979, Dick Zimmerman close up mentalism fooler TMGS

$26.99



Cabinet Vision Design Software Computer Rendering 1996 Vintage Print Ad Original picture

Cabinet Vision Design Software Computer Rendering 1996 Vintage Print Ad Original

$5.99



Vintage Computer Print Ad Strata Vision 3D Chuck Carter Graphics 1990s Man, Tie picture

Vintage Computer Print Ad Strata Vision 3D Chuck Carter Graphics 1990s Man, Tie

$10.95



ATARI Coleco Vision Odyssey VIDEO  GAME COMPUTER SYSTEM VINTAGE PRINT ADS 8.5x11 picture

ATARI Coleco Vision Odyssey VIDEO GAME COMPUTER SYSTEM VINTAGE PRINT ADS 8.5x11

$10.00



Saint Nicholas computer square ornament Xmas holiday tree picture

Saint Nicholas computer square ornament Xmas holiday tree

$12.75



1981 2-page Apple Computer Ad - Improves Vision picture

1981 2-page Apple Computer Ad - Improves Vision

$16.99



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes