Google’s ATAP (Advanced Technology and Projects) department has been working on something very special.
Called Project Soli, the technology could completely change how we interact with devices, from smartphones, music systems, heaters, ovens, TVs and tablets. The fitting way to describe this project is that it has taken a leap into the distant future, a future that is currently out of sight.
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Project Soli is an interaction sensor using radar technology that can track movement. This is similar to that which is used by security cameras. The technology behind this is quite sophisticated but it has been built into a small chip that allows it to have great functionality.
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The chip itself is also so small that in could easily find a home in many everyday objects and devices. The chip interprets human intent and senses the tiniest motions, which means that the sensor can track sub-millimeter motions at high speed and accuracy. All of this works on the 60GHz spectrum and can capture motion at up to 10 000 frames per second.
This allows people to control their devices using hand gestures.
Say you want to turn on your stereo, simply tap your thumb unto your finger and it switches on. Want to turn a volume up? Simply drag your finger across your thumb and you are done.
The project is built around the concept that hand motions will replace the traditional device control patterns on touch screens, mice and keyboards. Which means that instead of using a physical object which is usually a display or button, users will be able to perform the same actions on these devices with hand gestures.
Using hand gestures, proponents say, makes user interfaces much more intuitive and easy to use and opens up new ways for designers and developers to create better user experiences.
Project Soli is still in development and has no release date as yet, but have a look at the video below for a deeper look into Google’s (and probably our) future.
