Gesture recognition technology that doesn’t require battery power

Computer scientists at the University of Washington have developed a gesture recognition method that works without power from batteries. Users can control their devices, even when they’re far from the object, by gesturing their hands in the air. “AllSee” is the first edition of this low-cost gesture recognition system, using preexisting TV signals for power and as a way to identify the gesture commands from the user. This recent technology expanded on the prior discoveries made by lead researcher, Shyam Gollakota.

Image via University of Washington

The device’s components consist of a small sensor that was built to be placed on any electronic device that uses a low-power receiver. This extracts and pinpoints the gesture information from the user that is identified from all nearby wireless transmissions. The AllSee sensors classify the user’s hand gestures that change the amplitude of aerial wireless signals.

The specialized AllSee sensors use up to four times less power than the gesture recognition systems that have already been developed. This is due to its nature of manifesting power from preexisting wireless transmissions in the air. Users can enable this technology with mobile devices where gesture recognition can be used. For this to work, users have to manually turn on the gesture technology on their phones. With previous gesture-based technology for mobile devices, the battery would rapidly become drained, tending to consume copious amounts of power when left on. Interestingly enough, AllSee is not a battery drainer. This new tech requires tens of microwatts of power, and can remain on at all times without draining the power supply. With this development, people can put their phones on silent with mid-air gestures, without taking their phones out of their bags or pockets. 

Image via University of Washington

The team of computer scientists also considers enabling this technology with household electronics. They are striving to integrate these sensors in “Internet of Things” devices, using Wi-Fi signals as the power source. This technology is being tested for response time and how the sensors can differentiate motions directed at the device and other non-device designated movements. The response time of this technology is super-fast; it takes less than 80 microseconds, less time than it takes to blink an eye. So, with this extreme speed and power efficiency, it will be interesting to see how this technology will be used and accepted by people in the future.

Story via Phys.org