Dutch start-up Aura Aware is using FlightSense time-of-flight (ToF) technology from Swiss firm ST Microelectronics (STM) in a smart distance-awareness portable device for use at retail counters and check-in desks.
 
The easy-to-setup device displays a green OK signal that changes to red if a person crosses a safe minimum-distance threshold.
 
“This innovative device from Aura Aware shows a highly creative use of our FlightSense technology,” said David Maucotel, STM business line director. “STM’s ToF sensors can help protect our health in many ways, ensuring both social distancing and touchless interaction with all kinds of products that we use every day.”
 
Aura Aware devices integrate STM’s VL53L1X compact ToF sensor, which has an operating range of up to four metres and low power consumption. Signal processing built into the sensor simplifies design and provides features such as crosstalk compensation that maintains measurement accuracy even if the sensor window becomes obscured by foreign material.
 
ToF sensors transmit photons and then calculate distance to the target based on the time it takes for the reflected photons to be received back by the sensor. Moreover, ranging accuracy is unaffected by surface characteristics of the target, such as clothing colour or skin reflectivity, making it suitable for helping people maintain social distancing.
 
The sensors can also help users avoid contact with surfaces, including self-service touchscreens, smart taps and push-button door openers, located in high-traffic areas. The speed and precision of ToF sensing enable the sensors to manage basic on-off control as well as to detect and interpret gestures such as tapping and swiping for smart touchless human-machine interaction.
 
The sensors’ linear response when measuring short distances allows them to be used inside dispensing machines to detect the level of hand-sanitising liquid or the number of personal protective items such as face masks.