Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have successfully developed a system that can detect and track individual movements in 3D using just a regular WiFi router. By simply detecting the reflection of WiFi signals and also using artificial intelligence, the researchers say their system can detect the presence of individuals in a room.
More interesting is that it is powerful enough to penetrate wooden walls and even concrete. The reflection from the WiFi is then matched with the DensePose system developed by Meta and Imperial College. Every pixel on the human body can be tracked in space in 3D using DensePose.
Through a neural network, this is then used to produce a map of the individual's position in a space. This system has the potential to be used as a movement tracker for security purposes or to control internet of things systems. When detecting an empty room for example, the lighting, fan and air conditioning system can be turned off automatically.
With a simple WiFi router being used, this system is ready to be used anywhere without the need to purchase additional equipment. It has the potential to replace more expensive closed-circuit cameras.
This is not the first time that WiFi signals have been used to track the presence of individuals in a space. Some previous studies could only detect individuals entering a room before it was enhanced to track their position in 2D. This new system developed by Carnegie Mellon University goes one step further by doing 3D tracking.