Rooms of the future might be able to sense how you feel
![Future rooms might be able to sense how you feel.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FrA63weo28VaR9fM3nmvnX-848-80.jpg)
Even the best poker face out there won't be able to trick a new device developed by MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Popular Science reports. The invention uses wireless signals that bounce off people's bodies to monitor information like their breathing and heart rate, and then translates that data into an understanding of what a person is feeling emotionally.
The device read emotions correctly 87 percent of the time when tested on a group of 30 people in trials, which makes it better at knowing how you feel than similar devices, such as Microsoft's Emotion API — and it doesn't use any strings or wires, or even need to see your face in order to work. The possibilities for use are endless: The tool could pick up when people are feeling depressed and change their environment's lighting or music, or give directors an idea of how focus groups are reacting to their shows or movies.
"Our work shows that wireless signals can capture information about human behavior that is not always visible to the naked eye," said Dina Katabi, the project's leader. Learn more about how the device works, below. Jeva Lange
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Data blunders put Japan's after-work boozing culture in the spotlight
Under The Radar Excessive alcohol consumption and an analogue work culture combine to create a recipe for disaster when it comes to sensitive files
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - February 17, 2025
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - knife edge politics, yucky Ye, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Germany's elections: from dull to high drama
The Explainer Surge of far-right AfD threatens to upend mainstream coalition politics
By The Week UK Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published