The Somalytics start-up, which markets a technology developed by researchers at the University of Washington in collaboration with CoMotion, is presenting two innovative devices controlled by paper sensors at the CES show this year.
SomaControl is a 3D gesture monitor that allows users to interact with and control digital devices with touchless hand movements, while SomaSense is a flexible 3D sensing floor mat that detects and analyzes human presence, gait and foot pressure.
“These new products are a prime example of the kind of innovation that is possible with our new type of capacitive sensors,” said Barbara Barclay, CEO of Somalytics, in a statement. “We are eager to stimulate discovery in many industries to develop better, faster and less expensive applications for human-machine interaction. Our devices will enable life-changing applications in assistive technology, health and wellness, industrial security and transportation, in addition to better experiences in consumer electronics, games and wearables, as well. than in many other areas. “
Both demo products are based on the patent-pending capacitive sensors, which the company claims offer greater sensitivity, smaller size, and lower cost than conventional capacitive proximity sensors. These sensors are made up of tiny carbon nanotubes embedded in the structure of the paper. According to Somalytics, the flexible paper-based sensors, with a diameter of 1 to 5 mm and a thickness of only 0.1 mm, offer “unprecedented sensitivity to human tissues”, detecting human presence up to 20 centimeters. The sensors are also “faster and more efficient than infrared,” the company claims, which could pave the way for “a new generation of contactless technology applicable to almost all interactions between humans and machines.”
Sensors for many potential applications
One interesting potential application is for example eye tracking in AR / VR glasses without the need for cameras. With exceptional electrical sensitivity, the sensors can detect the movement of the cornea relative to the spherical curvature of the eye. “We have a prototype – we’re not showing it here because it’s not quite ready for CES. It has three sensors on each eye, ”CEO Barbara Barclay told ZDNet.
Regarding the products presented at CES, Barbara Barclay described how SomaControl works. “It’s just a small device – anyone can put their finger near it, without touching anything – and we used it to control three different lights. We’re also demonstrating the same device for looking at a bunch of photos on a computer – gesturing left to right to scroll and moving the hand up and down to zoom. “
As for the SomaSense mat, “it has a total of 16 sensors”, continues Barbara Barclay. “It’s connected to a smart device. Its basic use is to analyze your gait when walking on it, detecting the pressure differences of the heel and the foot, as well as the pace. “
There are many potential applications of Somalytics sensor technology, including presence detection for security purposes. “The biggest problem is figuring out what can be done first,” Barbara Barclay tells ZDNet. “There are about 10 different multi-billion dollar markets, and we’re talking to bigger companies that are interested in us doing proof of concept for certain lanes, so we’re not just building things.” , she analyzes.
In addition, the start-up does not want to be content with simply providing the basic technology. “We will also do co-development projects for commercial products. We hope to do two or three this year, ”continues the manager.
Source: ZDNet.com