Lie-detecting kiosks are here

The Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real Time (AVATAR) is currently being tested in conjunction with Canadian Border Services Agency to help border security agents determine whether travellers coming into Canada may have undisclosed motives for entering the country.

According to San Diego State University management information systems professor, Aaron Elkins, “AVATAR is a kiosk, much like an airport check-in or grocery store self-checkout kiosk. However, it has a face on the screen that asks travellers questions, and can detect changes in physiology and behaviour during the interview. The system can detect changes in the eyes, voice, gestures and posture to determine potential risk. It can even tell when they are curling their toes.”

Once the kiosk detects deception, it would flag those passengers for further scrutiny by human agents.