When it comes to wearables, smartwatches and eyewear are the only gadgets dominating the market. But after last Friday, Google steps up the game by introducing wearables that are actually t-shirts, pants, socks, or anything made of cloth.
In doing so, Google has officially launched Project Soli, an initiative that focuses on saying good bye to buttons and screens and making your hands and fingers the only interface you will ever need.
"Your hand can be a complete, self-contained interface control," said Ivtan Poupyrev, head of the projects for Google's Advanced Technology and Projects, or ATAP, division.
In order to do that, Google has developed radar-based sensors that can respond to hand movement and are small enough to fit into wearables.
"It's always with you," Poupyrev added during one of their sessions in Google I/O. CNET reported that he "held his hand a few inches above the smartwatch he was wearing, and rubbed his index finger and thumb together to change the time setting on the watch."
Google ATAP also introduced Project Jacquard, wherein the company is developing conductive fabrics that can respond to touch and gestures and can be further expanded to create large, interactive surfaces. TNW News also reported that Google is teaming up with Levi's to fully create clothes with the technology.
Google's latest initiative, however, is not exactly the first of its kind. For instance, Intel announced last May that it will be releasing a shirt made of conductive fibers that can be linked to your smartphone and can measure your heart rate. Meanwhile in Montreal, a local company named OMsignal is already producing clothes made of sensors that can track your vital signs.
Project Soli and Project Jacquard are examples of Google's efforts to expand its growing empire. Currently, the company's search engine is making more than $50 billion a year.
