Google’s annual developer conference showcased a lot of
improvements in Android and its software for virtual reality and the internet
of things – two of the most highly anticipated pieces of technology that are now
slowly becoming main stream. However, the search giant is also showcasing some
new tech during the event.
For starters, there’s Project Jacqaurd which is spearheaded
by Google’s ATAP (Advanced Technologies and Projects) team. If you’re thinking
you’ve heard of this name before, you’re right – because they were the same
people who gave us the 3D mapping Tango
tablet. Basically, the technology utilizes sensors that are woven directly
into fabric.
This should allow users to control their devices using
clothes or furniture that have their touch-sensing textile. This means, clothes
and furniture can act as a remote control for devices and commands and
functions are achieved by simply touching the fabric.
The sensors are attached to companion electronics that will
communicate to devices using low-power WiFi link. Google has partnered with
Levi’s together with designer Paul Dilliger in bringing the technology to the
jeans company’s product line maybe in the future.
Then there’s Project Vault, a secure computer stored in a
microSD card-sized device. Again, this is a creation of Google ATAP team. The
device is in itself an ARM processor running a secure operating system called
RTOS (Real Time Operating System), which provides focus on privacy and data
security.
It also comes with an NFC chip, its own antenna (for
authorization processes) and a suite of security services such as hashing,
signing, batch encryption and a hardware random number generator. It works
across different platforms including Android, Windows, OS X and Linux.
In a practical sense, it works just like an ordinary storage
device but in a more secured manner without the use of passwords. Instead, the
device can authenticate users by looking at a “Trust score” which is based on
their habits.
Lastly, there’s Project Soli – a radar chip that tracks user
gestures to translate it into actions on a smart device. The chip is really
small it can fit into small form factor devices such as a smartwatch.
The
technology should allow for a more refined and detailed control mechanism for
future devices, and when combined with Project Jacquard, it can provide a level
of control to devices that’s previously the stuff of science fiction films.
Just like other projects from the ATAP team, the three
projects are still in development and there are no specific ETA on when these
technologies will see retail.
