In another small step for its Project Soli initiative, Google has secured FCC approval to operate miniature radar-based sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed, opening the door for future real-world use.
Project Soli, part of Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group, was announced in 2015. The technology tracks the quick and precise micro-movements of fingers, essentially turning the human hands into self-contained interface controls. This enables users to adjust and control devices without having to physically touch them. Touching index finger to thumb in order to press a button down, for example, or turning a virtual dial from side to side to increase or decrease volume.
Screenshot from a video explaining Google’s Project Soli radar-based motion sensors.
After Google originally requested permission in March to operate at higher power levels that were in line with European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) limits, Facebook and other commenters raised concerns over potential interference with other devices operating in the 57-64 GHz band.
In September the two tech giants submitted a joint filing to the FCC, agreeing Soli sensors could safely operate at a lesser peak power limit than Google originally requested, though still higher than what’s currently permitted under the Commission’s rules.
On Monday, the FCC granted Google’s request for waiver – spotted by Reuters—also allowing Soli sensors to be used aboard airplanes, as long as devices and users are in compliance with the FAA’s standard rules for portable electronics.
The agency said it found that operating under the specified conditions, Soli sensors “pose minimal potential of causing harmful interference to other spectrum users and uses of the 57-64 GHz frequency band.”
“We further find that grant of the waiver will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gestures technology,” the FCC said in its order.
Google says the radar-based sensors could be embedded for interaction with wearables and IoT devices, and could benefit users with mobility, speech, and tactile impairments.
The company had previously argued that the FCC’s existing rules were too restrictive for Soli functions to work as intended – “resulting in user dissatisfaction due to missed motions and fewer effective interactions.”
Check out the video below to hear more about Project Soli.
