Wi-Fi signals enable gesture recognition throughout entire home

H_TeXMeX_H · 06-05-2013, 04:25 AM

http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/...t-entire-home/

Quote:

Forget to turn off the lights before leaving the apartment? No problem. Just raise your hand, finger-swipe the air, and your lights will power down. Want to change the song playing on your music system in the other room? Move your hand to the right and flip through the songs.
A hand gesture changes the TV channel.

University of Washington computer scientists have developed gesture-recognition technology that brings this a step closer to reality. Researchers have shown it’s possible to leverage Wi-Fi signals around us to detect specific movements without needing sensors on the human body or cameras.

By using an adapted Wi-Fi router and a few wireless devices in the living room, users could control their electronics and household appliances from any room in the home with a simple gesture.

“This is repurposing wireless signals that already exist in new ways,” said lead researcher Shyam Gollakota, a UW assistant professor of computer science and engineering. “You can actually use wireless for gesture recognition without needing to deploy more sensors.”

So, my question is ... can this be used to tell when you are at home, and maybe even exactly where you are and what gestures you are making, and maybe even how your lips are moving ? [/paranoia]

TobiSGD · 06-05-2013, 05:33 AM

First of all, if somebody wants to use that to spy on you he has to hide Wifi devices in your home to make that work. Would be much easier to just hide some cameras and microphones.
Also, I doubt that this would work reliably in our house, with 12 people, 11 dogs and a cat living here.

H_TeXMeX_H · 06-05-2013, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

Also, I doubt that this would work reliably in our house, with 12 people, 11 dogs and a cat living here.

Yes, it was mentioned that the detector would need one antenna for every person, otherwise the algorithm doesn't work well.

I suppose it is more plausible to use cameras and mics, but you'd need to set them up, and they would be more visible. A wifi signal is available in the home, and from my understanding, a regular router can be converted (possible firmware-wise) to be able to detect people. I mean, it may be plausible that a hacker could hack your router (many have back doors and people don't even change the password for the login), see when you are home, and then steal your stuff when you are not there.