Elliptic Labs shows off improved ultrasonic touchless gesturing coming to mobile devices next year

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Elliptic Labs is showing off a new “Multi Layer Interaction” feature for its touchless gesturing tech allowing devices to display different content depending on the location and distance of the user’s hand.

The new Multi Layer Interaction brings users the latest advance in intuitive device interactions. Without touching the device, as your hand moves towards your phone for example, the screen lights up and information is displayed. As you continue to move your hand closer, different information is revealed. It’s all about improving the user experience and by presenting easier ways to interact with mobile devices,” said Elliptic Labs CEO Laila Danielsen.

The company is quick to point out that its ultrasound technology, which it has shown off before, allows it to offer a much better experience compared to devices that offer similar touch less gesturing using camera or IR technology. “With Elliptic Labs’ gesture recognition technology the entire zone above and around a mobile device becomes interactive and responsive to the smallest gesture. The active area is 180 degrees around the device, and up to 50 cm with precise distance measurements made possible by ultrasound.”

It isn’t just for tablets or smartphones as demonstrated in the video above, Elliptic Labs notes that it could also integrate the tech into products as small as wearables like smartwatches. That could make for an interesting experience that allows you to interact with a small display without blocking content on the screen. It’s a problem Apple is using its digital crown dial to get around on its upcoming Apple Watch.

The company is making its technology and an SDK available to OEMs interested in integrating it into mobile devices. Smartphones using the tech are expected to hit shelves the first half of 2015, but specific partners have not yet been announced.