Those USB TV tuners used for SDR can also grab GPS data

usb-tv-tuner-as-gps-module

Talk about versatile hardware. These inexpensive TV tuner dongles can also grab GPS data. You may remember seeing this same hardware used as a $20 option for software defined radio. But [Michele Bavaro] decided to see what other tricks they could pull off. Would it surprise you that he can get location data accurate to about 20 centimeters? That figure doesn't tell the whole story, as readings … [Read more...]

Doppler-effect lets you add gestures to your computer

shockwave-gestures-with-doppler-effect

What if you could add gesture recognition to your computer without making any hardware changes? This research project seeks to use computer microphone and speakers to recognize hand gestures. Audio is played over the speakers, with the input from the microphone processed to detect Doppler shift. In this way it can detect your hand movements (or movement of any object that reflects sound). The … [Read more...]