Meta is developing a gesture-controlled bracelet for device control
Meta is creating a gesture-controlled wristband that enables users to operate computers and digital devices through subtle hand movements. A post on the Meta blog states that the device utilizes muscle signals to perform actions such as moving a cursor, launching apps, and sending messages – all without the need for a screen or keyboard. Meta’s sEMG wristband detects muscle signals, enabling gesture-based computer control. This innovation assists users with motor disabilities in interacting with digital systems non-invasively and while on the move.
The wristband is crafted to accommodate a diverse spectrum of physical abilities. Users can “write” in the air or on surfaces like a table or their leg, mimicking a pencil-like motion to compose messages or interact with menus. Mechanism of action – the technology centers on Surface Electromyography (sEMG), a non-invasive technique that identifies electrical signals produced by muscle activity. Signals captured by sensors in the wristband can be interpreted prior to any physical gesture being made.
Meta is partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to evaluate the wristband’s usability for those with spinal cord injuries. Douglas Weber, a professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Neuroscience Institute, states that even individuals with complete hand paralysis show some residual muscle activity that the device can detect and interpret.
Meta has created a prototype of a sEMG wristband that works in conjunction with its Orion AR glasses. This allows users to execute tasks such as typing, navigating menus, and sending messages without hands, relying solely on neuromotor signals from the wrist. The wristband enables gesture recognition, including tapping, swiping, and pinching, even while a user’s hand is at rest. It includes handwriting recognition, enabling users to write messages by imitating pen movements on any surface. With this technology, Meta aims to make human-computer interaction (HCI) more natural, inclusive, and mobile, unlocking new pathways for accessibility and immersive computing.
Key advantages of Meta’s sEMG wristband –>
Non-invasive: Does not require implants or intrusive hardware
Portable and discreet: Easy to use in public spaces where voice commands may be impractical
Accessibility-focused: Designed to work for users with diverse motor abilities
Future-ready: Supports spatial computing and extended reality use cases
