New technology uses Wi-Fi to see through walls

A technology it has evolved to the point of redefining the way we interact with the world around us.

A recent advance from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA is attracting attention by using Wi-Fi as a means of “seeing” beyond walls.

This promising innovation not only detects human presence, but is also capable of mapping the movements and three-dimensional shape of bodies, taking advantage of all the electromagnetic waves emitted by routers.

Exploring the frontier of technology

The idea behind this revolutionary technique is based on the concept of “DensePose”, a system that maps every pixel on the surface of a human body into an image.

Using deep neural networks, researchers were able to link the Wi-F signalsi sent and received by routers at specific coordinates on human bodies.

This allows a kind of “vision” without the need for conventional cameras or radars.

Although not the first foray into this field, the method has demonstrated significant advantages over previous approaches.

Previous attempts, including the use of smartphoneswere already exploring this idea, but Wi-Fi’s ability to overcome challenges like poor lighting and physical blocks offers promising potential for monitoring people in diverse environments.

Image: Carnegie Mellon/Reproduction

One of the most intriguing aspects of this innovation is its applicability to home security and monitoring.

The researchers highlight that, in homes where Wi-Fi is a common presence, this technology it can be scaled to monitor the well-being of elderly people or identify suspicious behavior.

Despite this, the article does not detail which behaviors would be considered “suspicious”, leaving questions about privacy and surveillance open.

Another point of interest is the precision and tracking capacity of this technology, which offers the possibility of monitoring more than one person simultaneously and with greater fidelity.

However, it remains uncertain whether this accuracy will come at the cost of privacy, especially against a backdrop of growing presence of smart home devices.

The possibility of using the WiFi as a means to observe people beyond walls certainly opens up a debate about ethics, privacy and security.

While the benefits appear promising, it is critical that such innovations are developed and implemented with a careful assessment of their ethical implications, ensuring the protection of people’s rights and privacy.