Meta's Finger Tracking Neural Wristband to Ship as a Product in the Next Few Years
Meta's CEO indicated that the finger tracking neural wristband the company has been developing will ship as a product 'in the next few years'. This article explores the potential of this technology and its implications for user interaction.
A Revolutionary Approach to Finger Tracking
In late 2019, Facebook acquired CTRL Labs, a New York based startup that had been working on a finger tracking wristband. This technology aims to sense the neural electrical signals passing through a user's wrist to their fingers using electromyography (EMG). Unlike optical finger tracking, EMG has the potential for zero or even negative latency, perfect accuracy, and is not affected by lighting conditions or occlusion. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has stated that a recent breakthrough has enabled 'almost infinite control over machines' by decoding the activity of individual neurons.
With this occlusion-free finger tracking technology, users can achieve precise control of complex interfaces with subtle movements of their hand resting on their lap. This makes it an ideal input method for headsets and AR glasses, offering a more intuitive and immersive user experience.
Challenging Apple's Vision Pro
Apple recently launched its Vision Pro headset, which combines eye tracking and optical finger tracking. While this method offers rapid and intuitive selection through 'gaze and pinch' controls, it still requires visible hand movements for complex interactions like scrolling and resizing. Meta's neural wristband aims to provide a lower-effort and more precise manipulation method that can be used in any scenario, similar to a computer mouse but with added dimensions of control.
Furthermore, Meta has claimed that when combined with a flat surface, the neural wristband will be precise enough to emulate a keyboard by 2028. This opens up possibilities for more productive and efficient interaction in virtual and augmented reality environments.
Arriving in Future Meta Products
According to an internal Meta AR/VR hardware roadmap leaked in early 2023, the neural wristband is planned to be released alongside the third generation Ray-Ban smartglasses in 2025. This roadmap also suggests that Meta is working on a second generation of the wristband, which will serve as the input device for true AR glasses set to launch in 2027.
The wristband will come in two models, with different price points. One model will focus on neural input technology, while the other will include a display and camera, doubling up as a smartwatch. It's important to note that these plans and timelines may have changed since the leak. Additionally, there have been no reports of Apple working on wrist EMG technology for its Watch product line.
