Google Pixel 4 Uses Soli Radar for Hands-Free Gestures and Face Unlock
Google's new Pixel 4 smartphones feature a built-in Soli radar chip that enables fast face unlocking and touchless Motion Sense gestures. All sensor data processes locally on the device to protect user privacy.
Google reveals that its Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones include a specialized Soli radar chip to enable touchless interactions. This technology powers the industry's fastest secure face unlock system and allows users to perform Motion Sense gestures to skip music tracks, silence calls, and interact with apps like Pokémon without touching the screen. The phone even knows to turn off its display when a user walks away and wake up when they return.
In a demonstration, Google engineers show how the Soli sensor makes everyday tasks more intuitive by lowering morning alarm volume as a user reaches for the device. The system distinguishes between intentional gestures and accidental movements, preventing unwanted actions like changing a song when simply reaching for a cup of coffee. All Soli data processes entirely on the phone rather than in the cloud, ensuring that no motion information is shared with other Google services.
While air-based gestures are not entirely new, previous attempts like those on the Samsung Galaxy S4 ultimately failed as gimmicks. Google aims to succeed where others failed by relying on the precision of its radar technology to accurately read user intention. Additionally, the Soli chip works alongside the face unlock system by detecting when a user reaches for the phone and preemptively activating the facial recognition cameras for a seamless experience.