Anyone that’s sat in a Volkswagen Golf flapping their arms about furiously to try and make the ‘swipe’ function work will understand that contactless infotainment systems have some way to go. (Believe us.)
But a joint project between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Cambridge University could make ropey hand gesture technology a thing of the past. The two entities have created a ‘contactless touchscreen’ – a fun contradiction in terms – that uses a whole load of sensors to make hand gestures work properly.
We’ll believe it when we see it (and not touch it) but according to JLR is uses eye tracking, cameras and radio frequency sensors to work out what a user is trying to do, without he or she ever having to physically touch a screen. Because of the epoch we’re in, JLR is haling it as a big win for keeping bacteria and viruses at bay, but no doubt it was in development as a convenience feature long before any lay person had heard of COVID-19.
The combination of sensors and AI programming will mean that a driver can hover their digit over a button on the screen and the software will do the rest – select it, that is. Extensive testing has eradicated any potential difficulties caused by wobbly terrain or an especially shaky hand, we're assured.
Back to the original reasons JLR probably developed this, the company claims that the tech could reduce the amount of time that a person spends concentrating on the screen, rather than the road, by up to 50%. We’re not quite sure how that’s the case – surely a touchscreen with more intuitive software would have a more significant effect in that regard? – but that’s what JLR claims nonetheless.
Cambridge University’s Professor Simon Godsill, who worked alongside JLR on the technology, attempts to clear that issue up: “Touchscreens and other interactive displays are something most people use multiple times per day, but they can be difficult to use while in motion, whether that’s driving a car or changing the music on your phone while you’re running. We also know that certain pathogens can be transmitted via surfaces, so this technology could help reduce the risk for that type of transmission.”
No word on how long this will take to come to market – if at all – but as we're still in the 'quotes from a professor' phase you can expect it to be a couple of years away at least.
Keyword: Jaguar Land Rover develops ‘no touch’ infotainment