Walls are no longer hidden. Artificial intelligence uses Wi-Fi cameras to look at walls. Imagine a world where your Wi-Fi router not only t...

Walls are no longer hidden. Artificial intelligence uses Wi-Fi cameras to look at walls.

Imagine a world where your Wi-Fi router not only transmits the Internet, but also acts as a silent observer. Researchers are turning sci-fi scenarios into reality by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to turn everyday devices into cameras that can penetrate walls.

But this is no ordinary camera. Forget high-resolution images. We're talking about using radio waves to decipher human movements and shapes through walls. Exciting but scary? Let's take a closer look.

Creepy science

Secret ingredient?

It's not magic, it's a clever combination of Wi-Fi signal manipulation and deep learning. Researchers are using the way radio waves bounce and bend around objects, including people. These subtle changes can be analyzed with AI to draw a picture of what is on the other side of the wall.

Here's the technical breakdown:

Dual Duty Wi-Fi:

Regular routers are repurposed to transmit and receive Wi-Fi signals in a specific way.

AI Learns the Language of Walls:

A deep learning algorithm, like DensePose (think of it as a super-smart image interpreter), is trained to decipher the patterns in the Wi-Fi signal disruptions caused by human movement.

From Wiggles to Wireframe:

By analyzing these disruptions, the AI can build a skeletal image, or "stick figure," representing the person's pose on the other side of the wall. Benefits and Concerns

The potential applications are intriguing. Imagine search and rescue teams locating trapped individuals behind debris, or elderly care facilities monitoring residents for falls without privacy intrusions. On the other hand, there are concerns about the possibility of misuse. Once walls become transparent, surveillance will become much more comprehensive.

The way forward

This technology is still in the early stages of development. The current version is blurry at best and needs some tweaking. However, advances in artificial intelligence and Wi-Fi technology may enable more sophisticated “wall vision.”

Conclusion

The ability to see through walls using a Wi-Fi router raises interesting questions. A security breakthrough or a privacy nightmare? As this technology develops, open discussions about its ethical implications are crucial. We need to ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential for misuse, so our Wi-Fi connections remain a force for good, not a window into our private lives.