While we await the arrival of Google Pixel Watch, the first real smartwatch of the company, here comes a news that is incredible. THE touch controls of the wearables of the Mountain View giant will on skin. A discovery that we make thanks to the colleagues of LetsGoDigital, who found such clues through a new one patent. Let's see the details.
Google Pixel Watch and Buds can be controlled with touch controls on the skin: this is what a brand new patent suggests
Google has patented a new gesture control technology for wearable devices. Instead of touchscreens and touch panels, it suggests using the skin of the wrist or neck next to the devices themselves. The sketch attached to the document shows how the “cyberpunk” function could work. Technology has been given the working title Skin Interface. According to the documentation, to control the functions of the device, the user will be able to swipe or touch the section of skin next to the device.
A gesture (vertical or horizontal scroll, short or long touch with one or more fingers) will create a mechanical wave that will be recognized by the sensors of the device. It is expected that with this input method it will be possible to answer or end a phone call, change tracks and adjust the volume of the headphones. Google also plans to use machine learning to filter out movements that aren't meant for command input. This will allow the device owner to nod, chew, scratch, walk or talk without fear of false positives.
According to the patent, owners of Pixel Buds will be able to use the feature by touching the skin in front of the ear or tapping on the temple. For Pixel Watch smartwatches, the “touchscreen” can be the wrist, the back of the hand or the forearm. For convenience it will be possible to calibrate multiple touch areas of various shapes.
Now the technology exists only on paper: it is not known when and for which device Google intends to make it publicly available.
