
MIT think-tanks managed to put together a device that uses wireless signals in order to see through walls.
We all love great superhero stories: dashing rogues who are hunting down bad guys, using their special superhero powers. Remember when the Superman movie came out and everyone was dreaming of someday having X-Ray visions to check out what happens behind walls? Superman’s X-Ray vision springs out from MIT.
Yes, you heard it right! A couple of clever boys and girls from MIT have managed to recreate Superman’s X-Ray vision. The research group lead by professor Dina Katabi has managed to develop a computer application that lets the user see through walls.
In order to track heat signals through various objects, the application is capable of analyzing different variation in the radio signal output.
Following their success with the application, the group of researchers said that this kind of technology could be used for lots of purposes. For example, hospitals and nursing homes can use such a device in order to monitor a patient’s condition.
Furthermore, it would seem that the program’s applications are neverending.
Fadel Adib, one of the researchers from Katabi’s team, managed to squeeze in a couple of explanation. The computer scientists said that the device actually functions like a camera, although it’s not really a camera.
The same researchers said that before devising this program, he and his team started by determining if a wireless signal could be used in order to track movement. Starting from this question alone, the group of scientists managed to construct a device that is not only able to detect movement but it is also capable of determining the exact position of the person in the room.
Adib said that one the device is turned on, it will be capable of showing the user what happens in an adjoining chamber. For example, if there is indeed someone else in the next room, the device will show if the person is moving or standing still if he is sitting or standing up and it is also capable of showing his speed as he’s moving through the room.
According to the team, the device has a high potential, meaning that the team could improve the device in order to take into account other parameters such as heartbeat or blood pressure. Also, with a couple of adjustments, the device could detect if a person is injured and send a text message to the emergency service.
The team plans to move ahead of schedule and prepare the device for its first appearance on the market. The device will cost around 300 dollars and it will become available on the market in the first months of 2017.
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