Microchip Technology MGC3130 e-field-based, configurable 3D gesture controller

Microchip Technology has announced its GestIC technology that enables the next dimension in intuitive, gesture-based, non-contact user interfaces for a broad range of end products. The MGC3130 is an electrical-field (e-field)-based, configurable 3D gesture controller, claiming to offer low-power, precise, fast and robust hand position tracking with free-space gesture recognition.

With power consumption as low as 150 µW in its active sensing state, the MGC3130 enables always-on 3D gesture recognition - even for battery-powered products where power budgets are tight. The MGC3130’s low-power design and variety of configurable power modes claim to provide the lowest power consumption of any 3D sensing technology - up to 90% lower than camera-based gesture systems.

GestIC technology uses the Colibri Suite of intuitive and natural human gestures. The suite combines a stochastic Hidden Markov model and x/y/z hand-position vectors to provide designers with a set of recognised 3D hand and finger gestures that can be easily employed in their products. Examples include wake-up on approach, position tracking, flick gestures, circle gestures and symbol gestures to perform functions such as on/off, open application, point, click, zoom, scroll, free-space mouseover and many others.

Additionally, the chip provides developers with the flexibility to utilise pre-filtered electrode signals for additional functionality in their applications.

GestIC technology utilises thin sensing electrodes made of any conductive material, such as PCB traces or a touch sensor’s indium tin oxide coating, to enable invisible integration behind the device’s housing. Additionally, the technology provides 100% surface coverage, eliminating ‘angle of view’ blind spots found in other technologies. With a detection range of up to 15 cm, the MGC3130 is suitable for products designed to be used in close proximity for direct user-to-device interaction.