Google is reportedly working on a new facial recognition system, codenamed internally Tuscany Projectaddressed to Address major limitations of current Pixel face unlock technology. According to sources cited by Android AuthorityThis advanced system is being designed for both future Pixel smartphones and Chromebooks.
The current face unlock feature on the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 devices uses a standard front camera combined with machine learning; While secure enough for banking apps and Google Pay, this method often fails in low-light environments. Project Toscana aims to solve this by maintaining accuracy and high-speed recognition regardless of lighting conditions. Early internal tests suggest that the system matches the performance speed of Apple’s Face ID.
While Google’s Pixel 4 previously used bulky radar sensors and infrared cameras, Project Toscana appears to favor a more streamlined hardware footprint. Recent tests involved:
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Pixel prototypes: Using a standard single hole camera cutout.
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Chromebooks: Tested with external camera setups, suggesting broader integration across Google’s hardware ecosystem.
There is constant speculation as to whether the final hardware will sit below the screen or remain within a traditional cutout. Previous reports indicated that Google was exploring under-screen IR (infrared) technology for the Pixel 11 series, which aligns with the objectives of the Tuscany Project.
Although Google has not yet officially confirmed the project, the maturity of the testing phase suggests a possible debut. Industry observers anticipate that the technology could be revealed as early as the Pixel 11 launching in August 2026and Chromebook integration will likely come later that year. More details may emerge during the upcoming Google I/O keynote.
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