(Yicai Global) Sept. 15 -- Alipay, the third-party payment service developed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE:BABA], has started to test self-service parcel lockers using facial recognition in Shanghai, marking the firm's second foray into the commercialization of facial recognition technology.

Users can collect parcels from lockers in just five seconds, online media outlet TechWeb reported on Sept. 14. Alipay will roll out the service in Shanghai before moving on to other cities.

The system is easy to use and can identify the intended recipients of a parcel during the day and at night, even if the custom is wearing a hat or more than one person is captured by the camera. The new method is also faster than its predecessor, passcode lockers.

Alipay brought facial recognition payments to KFC stores early this month, marking its first commercial application of the technology.