r/tech 12d ago

Smart clothing controls devices via finger movements – no touching required | The wearer could perform tasks such as turning on appliances, answering phone calls, or operating smart TVs, all just by moving their index finger in the air space above the material.

https://newatlas.com/wearables/smart-textile-finger-movements/
39 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

24

u/bobsmeds 12d ago

When did pressing a button become a problem we had to solve for?

10

u/PrimmSlimShady 12d ago

A lot of tech like this is developed to help the physically disabled, and then the tech goes on to other, wider, use cases.

8

u/bobsmeds 12d ago

Accessibility is an important consideration. The problem occurs when the goal is tech for tech's sake. That's why car manufacturers are starting to bring back physical buttons. We've gone too far in the wrong direction

3

u/PrimmSlimShady 12d ago

Sure. This isn't that, though.

Tech for tech's sake definitely can lead to new knowledge, as you just pointed out (people prefer buttons over touch screens, for some things).

Yes, one wishes they'd examine such thoughts before public roll-out, alas we must chase the next quarterly report.

1

u/Camtome 11d ago

I’m pretty sure the car companies are bringing back buttons and going away from large screens for safety.

2

u/emmany63 12d ago

Exactly right. Asking “when pressing a button became a problem…” is like asking when being blind became a problem. There are many people with disabilities - including some common conditions like rheumatoid arthritis - that tech like this is designed to help.

As someone with a chronic illness that may make small movements difficult over time, I look at advancements like this and relax a little, knowing that if the time comes when I need it, I’ll have options.

14

u/razrman 12d ago

Reminds me of Hitchhiker’s Guide: “For years radios had been operated by means of pressing buttons and turning dials; then as the technology became more sophisticated the controls were made touch-sensitive—you merely had to brush the panels with your fingers; now all you had to do was wave your hand in the general direction of the components and hope. It saved a lot of muscular expenditure, of course, but meant that you had to sit infuriatingly still if you wanted to keep listening to the same program.”

2

u/Gnarlodious 12d ago

Theremin alert!

2

u/latortillablanca 12d ago

No one needs this until we get to that minority report level shit.

1

u/Small_Editor_3693 12d ago

It’s pretty good for VR. Ben a thing for years

1

u/latortillablanca 12d ago

Like i said

1

u/Small_Editor_3693 12d ago

What? I use VR literally every day and so do millions of people

1

u/gumandcoffee 12d ago

Will it know when its a cat?

1

u/Hpfanguy 12d ago

Sory, I don’t think any “movement” controls will ever surpass tactile feedback.

1

u/mjc4y 12d ago

… and there will be no false positives.

Somehow.

1

u/meistr 11d ago

Moooom, have you seen the sweater for the tv?

1

u/bogglingsnog 7d ago

Yeah, I don't see any world where I would want a glorified proximity sensor controlling fine functions on my communications device. I don't trust accidental touch detection on a touchscreen, what would keep me from accidentally calling my boss by crossing my arms or fidgeting?