Two new smartwatch prototypes developed at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, can guess what their wearer is up to by tracking subtle signals in their skin and muscles. The technology could allow the owner to answer calls, track activities, and more – all without needing to be touched.
The first, named EM-Sense, can figure out what object its owner is touching. By fitting the smartwatch with a radio receiver, EM-Sense can use its wearer like a living antenna, picking up on the electromagnetic “noise” that travels through the human body when emitted by electrical objects.
So far, the system has been trained to recognise the unique electromagnetic signals of 23 common items, including desk lamps, refrigerators and computer trackpads.
Developed in the lab of Chris Harrison, a professor of human-computer interactions, EM-Sense is envisioned as a tool for people to augment their everyday activities. If the watch senses that you’ve jumped on your motorcycle, it might open up a map to guide you to your next destination or display a stored reminder to pick up milk from a shop. Or if it knows you have stepped on some scales, it might automatically log your weight.
Credit: Carnegie Mellon University