Sonar Device Turns Any Table into a Remote Control; Launches on Kickstarter

When most people think about using a remote control to operate smart home devices, they envision holding something in their hand and pressing buttons. MaxusTech has introduced a new way to communicate with your Bluetooth-enabled thermostats, light switches, A/V gear, and more. Welle (pronounced vell-uh) is a smart device that instantly turns any surface into a remote control by using Sonar Technology and hand gestures. It seems to have hit a chord with consumers, as it surpassed its Kickstarter goal on the first day.

Connects to All Kinds of IoT Devices

Here’s how it works: Simply place the tiny Welle on any convenient surface or location, or mount Welle on a wall with the included 3M stickers. Smaller than a smartphone at less than 3 inches long, and weighing just 3.5 ounces, it

 

fits just about anywhere. Working as a universal remote for all kinds of IoT devices and appliances, Welle uses the most advanced Sonar-based gesture control, replacing the multiple traditional household remote controls for a convenient connected home and office experience. Welle recognizes standardized gestures and also lets you assign your own gestures or handwriting short-cuts to interact with devices everywhere in your life. It also connects with IFTTT.

Recognizes Hand Gestures and Handwriting

Welle uses Sonar Technology, advanced ultrasonic signals used in the military, automotive and drone markets, that can accurately track human movements. Welle’s Sonar Technology transmits signal pulses and collects the reflected energy back from targets, identifying motions, gestures, and finger movements from the echoed signals. These echoes are translated into different instructions and words to IoT devices using an advanced hardware design and software algorithms. The Welle Sonar Technology tracks your fingers when you touch a surface and can even recognize handwriting motions, transforming them into customized actions. Conventional gesture detectors, such as those used in smartphones, only provide single gesture readings. In contrast, Welle provides rich information, such as trajectory data and digitized gestures, enabling a wide variety of control functions for everyday convenience.

Easy to install in just a few minutes with Welle’s app for Android and iOS users, users can setup Bluetooth connections between Welle and the target devices quickly by following the steps on the Welle app. Available October 2017, Welle will be priced at $99, with early-bird Kickstarter pricing of $59 for a limited time.

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