Amazon gets FCC exemption for tracking sleep with a radar sensor

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The Amazon Eco Show 10.

Chris Monroe / CNET

Amazon appears to be working on some kind of sleep monitoring device, according to a recently revealed waiver that was granted by the Federal Communications Commission.

In a July 9 letter, the FCC approved an Amazon request for a waiver for a “radar sensor” that “would allow contactless control of the device’s features and functions” and would be able to capture “motion in one. three-dimensional space to enable contactless sleep tracking capabilities. “

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As noted by Bloomberg, Amazon’s June initial filing request describes how the company expects the radar feature to provide “significant benefits to consumers with motor, speech, or tactile disabilities” in addition to sleep tracking and improve “awareness and user sleep management “. hygiene.”

It is unclear which devices, or even when or if, Amazon would bring the feature to market. The FCC waiver notes that Amazon was seeking approval for a Soli radar-like sensor that Google used in its Pixel 4 phones for touchless control. While the Soli chip was ditched in last year’s Pixel 5, the company added the chip to its Nest Hub in March with the goal of … monitoring sleep.

Amazon’s devices, under the July FCC waiver, will be “non-mobile” and “only work when plugged into a power source,” suggesting that this feature may be coming in a new Echo or Echo Show.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNET.

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