Google and Infineon use UWB radar sensors to enable virtual control in Pixel smartphones

August 25, 2020 | Case Study

The human-machine interface has become more critical than ever for enhancing the user experience in using personal electronics and improving production efficiency, avoiding fatal mistakes in operating complicated equipment. Despite the overwhelming software and user interface designs, the sensors are crucial elements that convert the physical signals to the machine-readable data, and then to actionable moves. Examples include using sensors to detect machines' important parameters, capture external environmental conditions, and intake commands from the operators. Hand gesture detection and interpretation are among the most challenging functions to realize in terms of both hardware and software design. With the realization of miniaturized UWB radar sensors, Google added the sensor chips into its Pixel 4 smartphones to allow users to control their smartphones using gestures.