U.S. border control creates a virtual 'Elvis avatar' to screen visitors (and he can even tell if you are lying)

Complex algorithms use a variety of sensors to check if visitors arriving from Mexico are telling the truth

Technology could also be used in a range of other 'helper robots'

The U.S. Government today unveiled its latest weapon against illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico, and it is not what you might expect.

At first glance, he could the ultimate border control officer - unflappable, able to detect lies, and never needing a break.

However, he is also a virtual person called Elvis - complete with a slick black quiff.

Developed by University of Arizona researchers in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the computer is known as the Automated Virtual Agent for Truth Assessments in Real-Time - or AVATAR - kiosk.

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Elvis the virtual border guard is set to check people crossing the US/Mexico border, and is equipped with lie detecting software

NOGALES, ARIZONA

In March Nogales officers on patrol seized more than 80 kilograms of hard narcotics from two Mexican men, including more than 77 kilograms of cocaine worth almost $2 million and five containers filled with three kilograms of methamphetamine worth nearly $86,000.

In May a 43-year-old Mexican national in a wheelchair was arrested for attempting to smuggle more than three kilograms of cocaine worth more than $65,500 into the U.S.

Elvis can interact with visitors to the US, and uses complex algorithms to monitor people and tell if they telling the truth.

He is already being trialled with 'low risk' passen gers at Dennis DeConcini Port in Nogales, Arizona, and could soon be a common sight at airports around the US.

Users must sign up to the scheme by giving fingerprints to the machine.

It is estimated that on average, each visitor takes around five minutes to go through the process.

When they arrive, they are greeted by Elvis, who tells them 'I help the officers by asking some initial questions about your application.'



"What we're looking for is changes in human physiology," Doug Derrick, a member of the University of Arizona team behind the project told CNN.

'We've had great success in reliably detecting these anomalies -- things that people can't really detect.'

Elvis can interact with visitors to the US, and uses complex algorithms to monitor people and tell if they telling the truth.

Initially, the kiosk did not have the avatar feature, but it was added after its developers found that without it, people would tend to speak to the machine in a robotic, unnatural manner.



The team also designed the casing to be at face height to visitors.

The unit can speak in English and Spanish, and users are encouraged to speak to it normally.

"You speak to it like you speak to a person," said Derrick.

The team also tried several different avatars before decided on Elvis.



'In general, the neutral male avatar was viewed as more powerful, and the female avatar was viewed as more likable,' the team said.



Different avatars, both male and female, have been created for the system in a bid to make people feel at ease. Here, a researchers from the University of Arizona interacts with a female avatar.

HOW IT WORKS

The computer uses three sensors to try and spot liars:

1. A microphone, which monitors vocal quality, pitch and frequency 2. An infrared camera, which looks at pupil dilation and where the eyes focus 3. A high-definition camera recording facial expressions.

'This finding has important implications for future screening practices,' Derrick said.



'For example, human agents may select different avatars based on the individual being screened.



'Cultural considerations are also significant and must be taken into account.'

The team claim their machine in far better at spotting lies than a human.



'People are accurate about 54% of the time at detecting deception,' said Derrick, who began working on the project as a student.



'We have got our machine as high as 90% in the lab,'

Answers are monitored, with any unusual physiological responses passed on to 'a human field agent'

The Avatar even got a name among the team developing the project.

'We call him Elvis, or Pat,' said Derrick.

'But when he's in the field he's just the AVATAR agent.'

The kiosk, which contains of of the Avatar's electronics, is designed to be at the same height as visitors, allowing them to interact comfortably.

The team also believe Elvis could soon be seen outside of airports.

'It could also be used, who knows, in a coffee shop, as a barista or as a virtual helper in an instance where you would’ve been waiting in a long line,' said a researcher on the project.

Elvis the border guard uses speech to communicate with visitors to the US, and can also read passports and check fingerprints, while cameras look at people's eyes to identify them and look for signs of lying.



