Skip to main content

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon have developed a wristband that can sense hand gestures

this smartwatch wrist band uses electrodes to recognize hand gestures 1511763240603240743
Image used with permission by copyright holder
As anyone who owns a smartwatch can tell you, one-handed operation isn’t exactly their forte. Beyond the “flick-to-wake” gesture found in a number of smartwatches and Android Wear’s wrist-based notification scrolling, there’s not much you can do without a second hand and set of fingers. But a team of researchers may have developed solution: a strap called Tomo that translates subtle muscle movements into software actions.

The prototype, developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction group, uses tiny impulses to sense wrist muscle movements. Operating on a principle of Electrical Impedance Tomography, similar to PET and CT machines, eight metal contacts send a continuous series of tiny electrical impulses through the wearer’s wrist. Sensors measure the strength of the impulses on the other side and, over time, collect enough data to generate and analyze a digital image of the finger and hand gestures being performed.

The wristband may not be the first capable of recognizing hand and wrist gestures, but it could be the most practical. Camera-based modules are typically much bulkier, the researchers note, and accelerometer and gyroscope-based systems can’t support static gestures. Moreover, the internal nature of Tomo’s analysis means it should work through gloves and clothing. And it’s cheap ($40 in its current form), small, and has a power draw minimal enough to make “integration directly into a smartwatch” feasible.

Tomo’s not perfect, though. Differences in wrist size and thickness between wearers mean the strap’s recognition software must “learn” gestures before it can accurately recognize them. (Think training voice dictation software to recognize diction.) And thanks to the granularity of the muscle measurements, the strap’s accuracy is largely dependent on its tightness and the consistency of its positioning.

Shortcomings aside, the Tomo’s the best attempt yet at a single-handed way of controlling a smartwatch. For the sake of those who never have a hand to spare, here’s hoping it catches on.

Editors' Recommendations

Kyle Wiggers
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors
Person holding skateboard while wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

A new, sleek design and digital bezel help the Galaxy Watch 4 stand out in the crowd and set it apart from the traditional style of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Whether you've picked up a 40mm model with a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED screen or opted for more screen real estate with the 44mm model, that stand-out design needs protecting from scratches and knocks. That means it's time for our picks of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors, with something to suit all budgets.

These screen protectors will all fit the 40mm or 44mm models of the Galaxy Watch 4. If you've got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, these won't fit.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector

Read more
How to remove watch links from the strap on your new watch
how to remove watch links fossil q explorist

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all smartwatch. If your wrists are on the smaller size, then you may find that your new smartwatch is dangling from your wrist and sliding up your forearm. No need to worry — it's a common problem. Chances are there are at least one too many chain links on the strap, but adjusting a metal-link smartwatch band isn't as difficult as you might think — and doesn't usually require a trip to the jewelers.

We'll take you through everything you need to know and the tools you'll need handy to remove links from your smartwatch so it fits snugly on your wrist.

Read more
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022: Laptops, TVs, AirPods, and more
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022

Cyber Week is here! With some truly epic deals out there, this is the best time of year to buy a new tech gadget. If you slept through the Black Friday sales, then the Cyber Monday sales, you better grab what you need during this week of slowly diminishing deals. From tablets to air fryers, laptops to smartwatches, we've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals across a range of categories, and you'll find them all below.
Cyber Monday sales: Quick links

Amazon: Huge discounts on laptops, Echo devices, and tablets
Best Buy: Your destination for sales on super-sized TVs
Dell: Unbeatable discounts on gaming laptops, monitors, and more
Gamestop: Cheap video games, console accessories and monitors
HP: Gaming PCs, laptops, monitors, and printers from $129
Kohl's: Home decor, clothing and kitchen appliance steals
Lowe’s: Up to 60% off appliances like refrigerators and decor
Staples: Save big on laptops, home office hardware and supplies
Target: Tons of cheap kitchen appliances and stocking-fillers
Walmart: Great for laptops, and is restocking PS5 and Xbox Series X

Read more