# Sonar Finger-Tracking Devices This Mobile Sonar Technology Can Enable Finger-Tracking Gadgets By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-03-23 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobile-sonar References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/fingerio-sonar-finger-tracking/42346/) & [fingerio.cs.washington.edu](http://fingerio.cs.washington.edu/) FingerIO is an impressive mobile sonar technology, developed by a group of scientists over at the [University of Washington](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchscreen-thermometer-apps), that is designed to make it possible to transform mobile devices into high-tech sonar systems by using futuristic [finger movement-tracking technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motion-tracking-technology). The technology works by transmitting sound waves from speakers that bounce off the user's finger as they're moving it on a surface or on mid-air, with the resulting echoes being detected by a pair of microphones. By figuring out the amount of time that passes between the release of the waves and the receipt of their echoes, the finger's position can be calculated highly accurately. This mobile sonar conversion technology could have a wide variety of applications and could be used in consumer electronics such as [smartphones and music players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Mobile Sonar Technology:** This innovation opens up possibilities for transforming mobile devices into high-tech sonar systems. - **Finger Movement-tracking:** Advancements in this area allow for highly accurate calculation of finger position during interactions with mobile devices. - **Sonar-enabled Consumer Electronics:** The integration of sonar technology in smartphones and music players offers new functionalities and user experiences. ### Where This Applies - **Consumer Electronics:** Incorporating sonar technology in this industry presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in product development and user experience. - **Mobile Technology:** The mobile technology sector can leverage finger-tracking and sonar advancements to enhance interaction capabilities and offer novel features. - **Academic Research:** Further exploration of mobile sonar technology and finger movement-tracking can lead to breakthroughs in human-computer interaction and beyond. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Thermal-Enabled Hand Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingertrak.md) - [Gesture-Controlled Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spatial-touch.md) - [Hand-Sensing Musical Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-airwave.md) - [Motion-Tracking Ring Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suite-of-technological-tools.md) - [Hand-Tracking Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palmplug.md) - [Finger-Focused Dancing Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orb-finger-dance-machine.md) - [Wearable Input Device](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picoring.md) - [App Controlled Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingerbot-sense.md) - [Motion Tracking Eye Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magtrack.md)