Project Soli was announced at Google I/O 2015 along a slew
of other ATAP projects, like Jacquard. This new interaction method does not
require a touchscreen — or fabric — and works in virtual space thanks to radar
sensing the motion of your fingers. A radar beam is emitted from a chip-sized
object with Soli capable of capturing and processing that fine movement as an
input method.
For example, users can bring together their thumb and forefinger
finger to tap a button or replicate the gesture of turning a knob. Other
possible actions include sliding your thumb along an extended forefinger as if
where a volume slider, or curling that finger so it becomes a somewhat flat
surface for your thumb to pan around.
Back in March, Google filed a waiver asking the FCC to allow
Soli to operate at a higher frequency band than permitted by the U.S.
regulatory agency. ATAP cited how the requested power levels were in line with
standards from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
The FCC’s restricted guidelines might have contributed to
the long delay behind this ATAP project. At these limited power levels, Soli is
not as accurate and “missed motions,” resulting in a bad user experience.
Google argued that the power levels in existing Commission’s
rules are too restrictive to adequately enable Soli’s intended functions –
resulting in user dissatisfaction due to missed motions and fewer effective
interactions.
Facebook and others raised concerns with the FCC that the
higher power levels might interfere with existing technologies. However, the
two companies came to an agreement in September. Google toned down its power
request to the U.S. regulatory agency, while Facebook agreed that operation at
higher levels would not cause interference.
The FCC granted Google’s waiver “to operate at higher power
levels than currently allowed” on December 31st (via Reuters), noting that Soli
poses “minimal potential of causing harmful interference” and how it is in the
“public interest.”
We further find that grant of the waiver will serve the
public interest by providing for innovative device control features using
touchless hand gesture technology.
Scene from the 2002 film called Minority Report
This FCC order permits the “certification and marketing” of Project Soli by Google, with usage on aircraft also allowed. It’s not yet clear how this translates to a commercial product, with ATAP in 2015 stating how it’s interested in releasing kits to the developer community.
Soli could particularly benefit smartwatches, by allowing
for greater interaction on devices that historically have a very small input
surface. Meanwhile, on the accessibility front, Google touts how Soli can
“benefit users with mobility, speech and tactile impairments.”
SOURCE: 9to5Google
