Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- Wi-Fi sensing technology has evolved over the past decade to track people’s movements.
- While initially used for health monitoring, Wi-Fi sensing has now expanded to include various applications such as home security and energy efficiency.
After over a decade of obscurity, Wi-Fi sensing technology has emerged as a tool to track people’s movements. Initially, researchers demonstrated the ability to use Wi-Fi signals to monitor breathing patterns and detect falls. However, the commercial viability of Wi-Fi devices for these purposes has not been fully realized. Despite the shift towards other technologies like ultra-wideband radar, Wi-Fi sensing has quietly become available in millions of homes, supported by leading internet service providers and smart-home companies.
With improved algorithms and standardized chip designs, Wi-Fi sensing has the potential to monitor daily movements invisibly. While this technology offers benefits in monitoring individual health metrics and improving energy efficiency, it also raises privacy concerns. The ability to detect movements through walls and track individuals without their knowledge presents risks of misuse, especially by state actors and malicious individuals.
Current advancements in Wi-Fi sensing technology, such as the development of standards for chipmakers and the integration of Wi-Fi sensing with other sensors, indicate a growing market for applications in home security, assisted living, and occupancy monitoring. However, the lack of specific regulations addressing privacy and security concerns poses challenges for deploying Wi-Fi sensing technology responsibly.
As Wi-Fi sensing continues to evolve and expand its capabilities, lawmakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders will need to establish clear guidelines to ensure the ethical and secure use of this technology.