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This system uses modifying the back scatter of the signals sent out by a WiFi router to be picked up and retransmitted by other WiFi enabled devices. This systems bares many traits of the LoRa systems I wrote about earlier that use very low power by just bumping an existing signal for communications. The very low cost of both these systems pervasive in the world around us. Incorporating both these technologies will extend control and intelligence to literally everything we touch. Our very concept of the world around us is about to change. This is but one of the many examples of the wave of knowledge enabled by the "Great Acceleration" to create many surprises that were never thought possible. This is but one of a staggering number of surprising applications we will see now and in the future at an ever increasing rate. There is no problem we cannot solve and the only limitations we have are those we impose on ourselves by following the social constraints we put upon ourselves by people that deem the possible impossible. Our education/training must change drastically or we will fall behind. The company or society with the best IP management, education/training system will win. These systems will also have to include economic and business models to make things happen, not just technology.
Reading the linked article, then following a link in the article to see the actual demo video revealed that this WiFi technique requires a Smart Phone to read small deflections in the WiFi signal caused by the printed 3D part which embeds a small antenna with a switch in it. Nice research, so let's see how many people want to know when their Tide detergent is running low so that their Smart Phone can then order more on Amazon.
Dan, I agree with you. I feel this is just a glimpse of a future technology and I expect it will rely on other technologies to become functional. It is still very important in theory and will in some version become another piece of the puzzle in the creation of some version of the singularity that I will see in my lifetime and I'm in my sixties. The depth and breadth of new technologies coming on is unprecedented and even still the rate of new discoveries will pick up speed as our ability to put new technologies into practical use is also speeding up. Just look at the progress in mobile phones, computers, communications and display. The gap between discovery, initial application, widespread use then obsolescence in shrinking rapidly across all technologies and picking up speed. The entire life cycle of new products and technologies is shrinking necessitating a changes in our thinking about everything in our lives to adapt to the changes starting to take place faster than most can adapt. Education/training constantly will have to become a key part of our thinking. Our views and educational/training systems are going to have to change the most of all if we are to keep up.
