How Gesture Control Mitigates Hygiene Hazards for Smart Buildings, Kiosks & Information Panels
Gesture recognition technology, once a staple of science fiction, is now a reality. When we talk about gesture control, we are discussing the ability for non-contact interaction with digital systems through advanced sensing and algorithmic computing.
An Introduction to Gesture Control
Various forms of basic gestural interfaces have been in development for decades; most notably in touchless multifactor authentication (MFA) in healthcare and image-assisted surgery. Entertainment systems were the first technologies to truly leverage gesture control in a meaningful commercial way, by supporting local gameplay in small room settings. Yet widespread market uptake of gesture control systems has been comparatively slow, with some smartphone manufacturers and big auto engineers backing novel uses of the technology in the future.
Virtually no research and development (R&D) pipeline has been unaffected by the abrupt and disruptive realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gesture recognition, however, has been earmarked as a pioneering technology for ‘smart systems’ where contactless interactions could significantly mitigate hygiene hazards. As a result, gesture control technologies have been accelerated to meet rapidly changing market demands and assist with the economic recovery, especially in the retail sector.
What is Smart Retail?
Smart retail is a catchall term for the manifold of technologies aimed at leveraging digital systems to improve the customer experience, making every shopping trip a faster, more efficient, and safer experience. That mandate takes on a new meaning when the importance of personal hygiene and the risk of cross-contamination between individuals is at the forefront of everybody’s minds. Basic gesture control can play a key part in rebuilding the confidence of shoppers by eliminating the need to touch surfaces unnecessarily.
Gesture Recognition Systems from Tredecile
At Tredecile, we have a long history of developing advanced sensing solutions based on infrared Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology, including basic gesture recognition systems engineered to replace manual controls in industrial settings. Our proactive philosophy means that we regularly recognize new niche applications of our core technologies, and smart retail (along with smart buildings and digital signage), has been in our eye-line for some time.
Subsequently we have accelerated the release of our innovative TeraRanger Evo Swipe Plus sensor as a response to the changing global dynamic. This discrete optical ToF sensor uses an infrared light source with a nominal update rate of 25 Hz and a maximum range of 3 meters, and it is embedded with a proprietary gesture recognition algorithm. The result is an easily integrated sensing solution that can reliably detect simple swipes of the hand in left/right or up/down directions, whilst a ‘push’ gesture is used to validate commands, in the same way you’d use the enter key of a laptop or mobile device
Subsequently we have accelerated the release of our innovative TeraRanger Evo Swipe Plus sensor as a response to the changing global dynamic. This discrete optical ToF sensor uses an infrared light source with a nominal update rate of 25 Hz and a maximum range of 3 meters, and it is embedded with a proprietary gesture recognition algorithm. The result is an easily integrated sensing solution that can reliably detect simple swipes of the hand in left/right or up/down directions, whilst a ‘push’ gesture is used to validate commands, in the same way you’d use the enter key of a laptop or mobile device
Our Evo Swipe system is designed for OEM design-in projects. It is applicable to smart building, smart retail and other digital signage and information kiosk applications. If you would like to speak with a member of the team about integrating our gesture recognition technology into your doors, screens, and kiosks, simply contact us using the link below.
