Solutions based on invisible light have many applications that have not yet been fully explored. One of them is operating digital devices via gesture recognition, which makes it possible to achieve seamless connection with technical systems.
When a swipe of the hand is enough
Gesture recognition is based on the ability of sensors to recognise even the smallest movements of a person’s face or body. It means that operating devices with a simple swipe of the hand is no longer as futuristic an idea as it might seem.
Automotive, gaming and time-of-flight cameras are just a few of the many possible areas of application. The IREDs used for these systems recognise body movements within a space, rendering buttons and switches unnecessary. Want to open the car boot by moving your foot? Play a game without a physical controller? Switch on the air-conditioning with a simple hand gesture? No problem. One movement is enough.
Applications of all sizes
One example of an application for time-of-flight technology is supporting surgeons during operations. Both the IR laser diodes used for illumination, which pulsate in the nanosecond range, and the highly sensitive sensors are extremely specialised developments. After all, it makes a difference whether they are to be used for applications with a minute amount of space – such as surgery – or applications with more space, such as driver assistance systems that protect pedestrians or help with emergency stops.
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