Head pose estimation based on face symmetry analysis

This paper addresses the problem of head pose estimation in order to infer non-intrusive feedback from users about gaze attention. The proposed approach exploits the bilateral symmetry of the face. Size and orientation of the symmetrical area of the face is used to estimate roll and yaw poses by the mean of decision tree model. The approach does not need the location of interest points on face and presents robustness to partial occlusions. Tests were performed on different datasets (FacePix, CMU PIE, Boston University) and our approach coped with variability in illumination and expressions. Results demonstrate that the changes in the size of the regions that contain a bilateral symmetry provide accurate pose estimation.