Google’s ‘Minority Report’ system takes giant step to becoming reality

Google just got a major go-ahead in the development of its “Minority Report”-style gesture-based interface.

The Federal Communications Commission said late Monday it would grant the tech giant a waiver to operate sensors for “Project Soli” at higher power levels than currently allowed.

The FCC said its decision “will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology.”

The Soli sensor captures motion in a three-dimensional space using a radar beam to enable touchless control of functions.

Google said the mechanism will allow users to press an invisible button between the thumb and index finger or a virtual dial that turns by rubbing a thumb against the index finger — technology that’s reminiscent of that seen in the 2002 dystopian sci-fi flick starring Tom Cruise.

The FCC’s decision came after Google asked the agency in March to allow its short-range interactive motion-sensing Soli radar to operate in the 57-to-64 GHz frequency band at power levels on par with European Telecommunications Standards Institute standards.