High-performance sensor supplier ams AG and artificial intelligence developer MEGVII have signed a partnership agreement to jointly create and promote plug-and-play 3D face recognition solutions for smart consumer devices and commercial devices. The two companies expect to offer an off-the-shelf face recognition system for smart homes, smart retail, smart buildings, and smart security applications independent of mobile phones. The integrated solution under development combines ams’ vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) emitter modules with MEGVII’s software for depth mapping and face recognition. The companies plan to release a 3D active stereo solution with robust performance in both indoor and outdoor light conditions. The technology should be available by the end of the year.