Infineon has developed a 60 GHz radar chip

     With the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the Internet of Things, by 2020, there will be 5 billion people around the world using smart devices to sense their surroundings. Infineon Technologies AG has developed a 60 GHz radar chip that enables a whole new way of human-computer interaction. With an integrated antenna system, it can accurately sense the presence and movement of people and objects, as well as measure distance and speed. The chip is the cornerstone of Google's Soli technology, and this is the first time it has been integrated into a smartphone to enable gesture control.

     Andreas Urschitz, President of Infineon's Power Management and Diversified Markets Division, said: "With our radar technology, devices are beginning to be 'context-aware'. This means that our devices are finally able to understand their surroundings and react more purposefully. The precise motion detection of the 60 GHz radar chip turns the Google Pixel 4 smartphone into a gesture control system. This is a major innovation in human-computer interaction. At Infineon, we are also working to simplify interactions and improve the utility of devices by integrating multiple sensors."

     Infineon radar technology was initially used in the automotive sector. For decades, radar sensors have been able to effectively measure distance, speed, and motion during driving. Later, Infineon further developed the functionality for small devices. The 60 GHz chip is a complete radar system with a small antenna footprint (5 x 6.5 mm) and low power consumption. It senses the movement of objects in a room and can measure distances within millimeters with extreme accuracy. With the right software, this movement data can be turned into features that users can manipulate with gestures without touching the device.

     The sensors and chips developed by Infineon have human-like senses, are able to recognize the environment and process the acquired data, and are designed to enable easy interaction while making life more convenient, safe and environmentally friendly through a variety of intelligent operating functions. Combining multiple sensors in a single device creates entirely new solutions to measure and improve air quality, or to intelligently protect against theft. In addition to voice-controlled assistants, "smart" appliances or wearables, and buildings (especially smart buildings) are becoming increasingly interactive. Sensors can improve safety and energy efficiency by detecting the number of people in a room, or by adjusting the need for light.