The facial recognition system is also being trialled by United Arab Emirates hotels, including the Marriott and the Overoi, to identify criminals or terrorists entering lobbies.

It is also under trial by London police to identify individuals captured by the city's massive CCTV network, a need which formed the inspiration of the project, and could be used in Australia's train networks.

The system can identify a face within seconds in resolutions as low as 12 pixels and from high and acute angles, making it ideal for grainy CCTV footage. The nearest competing facial recognition systems can only spot a face in photographs of minimum quality of 63 pixels and shot under precise conditions.

It also works as a early warning system through biometric cues that alert authorities to suspicious activity.

It began as an academic project in 2000 and "took-off" in 2003 after it received a share of some $3 million, designated to counter-terrorism and protection of critical infrastructure. Lovell negotiating OEM licenses and is operating the trials through a Sydney company.