Many Lenovo laptops will soon integrate software for human presence detection.
Does your laptop know when you’re at your desk? It may soon be monitoring you to find out.
Founded in 2006 by a research team incubated at Oslo University in Norway, Elliptic Labs develops smart sensing software like AI Virtual Presence Sensor. Requiring no specialized hardware other than a speaker and microphone—ubiquitous on laptops—AI Virtual Presence Sensor will lock a user’s laptop as soon as they move away.
On April 22, Elliptic Labs announced in a press release that it has expanded its technology agreement with computer maker Lenovo to include AI Virtual Presence Sensor in 18 more models of Lenovo’s laptops. The company did not elaborate on specific models or timelines.
Ultrasound Presence Detection
Like a bat scouting for prey, AI Virtual Presence Sensor detects a user’s presence through ultrasound waves. These signals—inaudible to users—are generated by a laptop’s speaker and detected by its microphone.
By analyzing the pattern of the returned sound waves, the software can determine whether users are present or absent, unlocking and locking the laptop as required. According to Elliptic Labs, the software can even tell when a user is merely passing by and will keep the laptop locked.
Human detection systems can already be found in high-end laptop models. However, the expanded agreement with Lenovo could make the technology more mainstream. This has the potential to mitigate security risks for many more users.
As AI Virtual Presence Sensor expands in the PC industry, it could also play a role in improving energy use. By automatically triggering low-power sleep mode when users walk away, the technology could save battery life and electricity.
“Growing Lenovo’s relationship with Elliptic Labs has vital implications for our long-term goals to enhance user experience, energy efficiency and security,” said Luis Hernandez, vice president and chief technology officer of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group Commercial Product Center, in the press release.
More Virtual Smart Sensors
AI Virtual Presence Sensor is just one of Elliptic Labs’ virtual sensor solutions.
The company recently launched its Virtual Proximity Sensor in Xiaomi’s soon-to-be-released Poco F4 GT gaming smartphone. The proximity sensor shuts off a smartphone’s display and disables the touchscreen when users place the device next to their ear for a phone call. Today, most smartphones accomplish this with an infrared sensor—Elliptic Labs’ solution does not require this extra hardware.
The Virtual Smart Sensor and the Virtual Proximity Sensor are part of Elliptic’s suite of five smart sensing systems, which also includes the Virtual Presence Sensor for IoT and mobile, Virtual Gesture Sensor for Mobile, IoT and VR, and Virtual Connection Sensor for Mobile and IoT.
Elliptic Labs’ Virtual Gesture Sensor allows users to control smartphone functions such as opening text messages, silencing calls or taking pictures with simple hand gestures. The Virtual Connection Sensor enables ultrasound pairing and device authentication.
The technology has applications beyond energy savings, security, hands-free convenience or mere novelty. According to Elliptic Labs’ website, Virtual Presence Sensor also has automotive safety applications in which it can detect a driver’s breath and heartbeat and alert the vehicle if health problems arise during driving. The technology can also detect if young children or pets are left unattended.
