Meta’s new wearable lets you control screens hands-free

Forget the mouse. Forget the keyboard. Meta’s new gesture control wristband might just be the most seamless way to control a computer yet. And no, it doesn’t require surgery, a camera, or even a touchscreen. All it needs is your wrist. This futuristic device uses electrical signals from your muscles to understand what your hand wants to do, even if it never actually moves. Think of it as a translator between your nervous system and your favorite device.

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Meta’s wristband improves accessibility and mobility

This wristband was developed by researchers at Meta’s Reality Labs, where scientists have been working on non-invasive, wearable tech that helps people interact with computers naturally. Unlike typical gesture systems that need a camera or special lighting, this device picks up on muscle activity alone. That’s huge. Especially for people with reduced mobility, muscle weakness, or even limb loss, this opens up new ways to engage with technology.

A research prototype of Meta’s previous wearable gesture control device. (Meta)

How Meta’s gesture control wristband works

At the heart of this innovation is a technology called surface electromyography or sEMG. The wristband captures tiny electrical signals that fire in your wrist muscles when you intend to move. Meta’s team trained AI models on thousands of participants to recognize these signals without needing to calibrate for each person. Thanks to deep learning, the system can now:

• Detect finger pinches and swipes
• Translate air handwriting into text
• Move cursors and select items
• Navigate digital interfaces in real time

You can even write in the air at 20.9 words per minute, nearly as fast as typing on your phone.

A man wearing a Meta wristband that converts his hand gestures into commands. (Meta)

Why Meta’s wearable could change human-computer interfaces

Meta’s wearable is a new kind of human-computer interface, one that doesn’t need a screen, controller, or touch. That makes it ideal for on-the-go use with smart glasses, phones, or even future AR devices. And because it doesn’t require calibration for each user, it’s ready out of the…