Thanks to the FCC approval for Google to operate its futuristic gesture-controlled watch at higher-power levels, this technology is the first bid to go completely and effectively ‘touchless’.
While the project debuted in 2015- Google’s Project Soli was not able to move forward and progress effectively until after 2016 due to the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) power limitations. Google’s waiver requesting an authorization from the FCC to operate the project at higher power levels was granted earlier this month- allowing the organization to recommence their work in more favourable conditions.
With a technology like this, you can use hand gestures to turn on your speakers by just moving a hand in closer to it for turning it on or controlling its volume with a flick of your fingers. The tiny radar sensors within the speaker would sense your hand movements.
The prototype watch made by Google uses a radar to detect hand movements- like tapping your index finger with your thumb and then uses this information to control several features.
The FCC determined recently that such project could ultimately serve the public without causing harm and therefore, the problems that Google had with the device not recognizing all the gestures because of low power will soon be resolved.
For now, the most obvious application for the technology is its use in smart watches of the future. The gesture-powered technology could bring new functionality to the devices and increase the accessibility for those who have mobility or tactility impairment.
Google has plans for the technology to be integrated, not only on wearables but also on devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, cars and IoT devices. Consequently, the project looks likely to lead more smart home devices that you can control with your gesture of hand than your smartphone.