Google wins US approval for Project Soli miniature radar, that could herald new era of touchless tech control
- The radar technology is intended to allow a level of touchless sensitivity exceeding traditional camera-based motion-capture systems
Alphabet Inc’s Google unit has won approval from US regulators to deploy a miniature radar-based motion sensing device known as Project Soli, intended to herald touchless control of technology.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said in an order late on Monday that it would grant Google a waiver to operate the Soli sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed. The FCC said the sensors can also be operated aboard aircraft.
The FCC said the decision “will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology.”
A Google spokeswoman did not immediately comment on Tuesday, citing the New Year’s Day holiday.
The FCC said the Soli sensor captures motion in a three-dimensional space using a radar beam to enable touchless control of functions or features that can benefit users with mobility or speech impairments. A video uploaded by Google envisages the technology being used to control a range of devices without touching them, with a level of sensitivity exceeding traditional camera-based motion capture systems.
Google says, for instance, that the sensor can allow users to press an invisible button between the thumb and index fingers or a virtual dial that turns by rubbing a thumb against the index finger. That description evokes the touchless technology depicted in such sci-fi films as Minority Report.