Norwegian startup Elliptic Labs has developed a new ultrasound technology that allows all Android smartphones and tablets to be controlled by touchless gestures.
Planned to for production as early as 2014, Elliptic Labs is in talks with Asian handset makers to incorporate its chip into their devices.
According to the firm, a smartphone can be converted into a motion-sensing gadget with a couple of additional microphones and an inexpensive transceiver.
Elliptic Labs CEO Laila Danielsen said "Now, with our software SDK, we are giving smartphone manufacturers a way to easily and cost effectively include consumer-friendly touchless gesturing in their phones.
"Our technology is also great for playing games on smartphones.
"It uses little power and with our high resolution, you will be able to play popular games such as Fruit Ninja, Subway Surfers or any other games that require high relative accuracy and speed."
Incorporating small microphones, transducers, and Elliptic Labs software, Android smartphone original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can now make use of the ultrasound spectrum, above 20 kHz, to allow touchless gesturing, the developer says.
The technology works via an ultrasound chip that makes use of sound waves to interpret users’ hand gestures to enable 3D interaction above, below and on either side of the screen.
Elliptic claims that its gesture-control system offers an extensive field, and can even detect gestures made three feet away from the device, as well as recognising mid-air gestures precisely.
