New Technique Turns Random Objects Into FM Radio Stations (thestack.com)

"A new technology is enabling everyday objects, such as posters and clothing, to be transformed into FM radio stations," reports The Stack, citing research from the University of Washington. An anonymous reader quotes their report. The team has introduced a technique called "backscattering" which uses ambient low-power radio signals to broadcast messages from random objects to smartphones in the local vicinity.The researchers hope that the development could help support various smart city applications, and picture a future where anything from a poster at a bus stop to a road sign can transmit audio updates and information to passers-by.

During testing, the researchers were able to use the backscattering technique to create a "singing poster" which could send out the music of an advertised band to smartphone users at a distance of up to 4 meters and to cars in an 18-meter [59-foot] radius. "What we want to do is enable smart cities and fabrics where everyday objects in outdoor environments -- whether it's posters or street signs or even the shirt you're wearing -- can 'talk' to you by sending information to your phone or car," explained lead faculty and UW assistant professor of computer science and engineering Shyam Gollakota.

Comments

Re:Backscatter

[ls671]

You pervert; you scan the back of your preys to check how good a backscatter they would be good in your scat fantasies?

That might be how your primary RADAR works but not mine. I am not into scat. This is disgusting...

Re:this gives me existential dread

[fisted]

Are you somehow able to sense and decode FM radio signals using your brain? Because if not, I think there's an obvious solution...