Maxim Dynamic Gesture Sensing for Automotive Applications at Industry’s Lowest Cost and Smallest Size — LED professional

Key Advantages:
•    Lowest Cost: Enables swipe and rotation gestures sensing at lower cost
     than a ToF camera; Allows developers to avoid complex software
     development and maintenance programs
•    Smallest Size: 60 photo diode array, LED driver and internal LDO result
     in a total solution size that is significantly smaller than ToF camera
     solutions; Can be paired with a small microcontroller, rather than the
     larger microprocessors that more complex solutions require
•    Versatility: Delivers 9 gestures, including swipe, rotations, air link and 3×2
     proximity zones with low lag time in a single chip compared to a
     competitive solution that requires 3 chips and a complicated
     microprocessor; Cost reduction makes gesture-sensing feasible for
     automotive, consumer and industrial applications such as smart home
     hubs, thermostats and others, all without touching the device

Automakers predict driver safety will improve when gesture and proximity sensing replace knobs and touch screens for infotainment, phone, side mirror, climate, trunk, sunroof and reading lamp controls. Most gesture-sensing systems in today’s cars are based on ToF cameras that also bring high costs and complexities, which many manufacturers wish to avoid.

Maxim Integrated’s optical-based MAX25205 enables the most hand gestures at a solution cost that is up to 10x lower than ToF camera-based systems. Additionally, the gesture and proximity-sensing sensor features a high level of integration and comes in a small 4mmx4mm chip size, which is up to 75 percent smaller than ToF camera-based solutions. This gesture solution offers a great complement solution to the voice command, as there are scenarios where voice command is not effective. Another benefit of a gesture solution is that the automotive displays do not become smeared with many finger prints as customers use their touch screens.

“Although ToF-based systems enabled gesture-sensing in luxury models, automakers are hopeful to add this stylish and life-saving feature to higher volume product tiers as well,” said Sachin Garg, associate vice president at MarketsandMarkets™. “What designers need is a lower cost alternative to today’s systems in order to make the economics of gesture-sensing controls more feasible for non-luxury models.”

“Maxim Integrated’s MAX25205 is a game changer for the automotive industry,” said Szu-Kang Hsien, executive business manager for Automotive Business Unit at Maxim Integrated. “By offering the most dynamic gesture control for automotive applications at the lowest cost, automakers can avoid the prohibitive costs of time-of-flight camera solutions and offer gesture sensing in more car models. It offers a stylish, cool factor to cars, especially for laid back drivers who prefer to use gesture for control with the added benefit of keeping their touch screens dirt-free.”

For information about MAX25205, including how to order, please visit maxim.click/MAX25205 
The MAX25205EVKIT# evaluation kit is also available at Maxim’s website at www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/sensors/MAX25205EVKIT.html 

About Maxim Integrated:

Maxim Integrated develops innovative analog and mixed-signal products and technologies to make systems smaller and smarter, with enhanced security and increased energy efficiency. We are empowering design innovation for our automotive, industrial, healthcare, mobile consumer and cloud data center customers to deliver industry-leading solutions that help change the world. Learn more at www.maximintegrated.com