Podcasts · The Hardware Podcast with Fexingo: Chips, Devices, and Electronics Engineering Conversations
How Chips Use On-Chip Ultrasonic Transducers for Gesture Recognition
· 14 min · S3 E114
Episode How Chips Use On-Chip Ultrasonic Transducers for Gesture Recognition
This episode explores a new frontier in human-machine interface: on-chip ultrasonic transducers that enable touchless gesture recognition. Lucas and Luna break down how these tiny MEMS devices work, from generating focused ultrasound beams to sensing Doppler shifts in reflected signals. They examine a real-world application from BMW's 2025 i7, which uses an ultrasonic sensor array to detect hand gestures for volume and navigation controls — no cameras, no privacy concerns. The hosts also discuss the chip design challenges: power consumption at 10 milliwatts, signal processing latency under 20 milliseconds, and integration with existing SoCs. A specific comparison to infrared-based systems shows why ultrasound wins in bright sunlight and through glass. The episode closes with a look at where this tech is heading — from automotive to smart home and eventually to wrist-worn wearables that replace touchscreens.
#UltrasonicTransducers #GestureRecognition #MEMS #BMWi7 #TouchlessInterface #HumanMachineInterface #OnChipSensors #AutomotiveTech #SmartHome #Wearables #DopplerShift #SignalProcessing #SoCIntegration #PowerEfficiency #PrivacyTech #HardwareEngineering #FexingoBusiness #Technology
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Transcript
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